Sexuality Education

Websites
Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) -- a national organization that supports and helps in the development of effective sexuality education programs -- lots of good resources and links.

Advocates for Youth -- an national organization presenting valuable information and programs that address critical youth issues of sexuality -- includes lesson plans and attention to issues of culture and diversity.

Myths and Facts about Sex Education -- a useful discussion of a number of common views and assumptions about sex education -- includes information in support of comprehensive sex education.

Resources: Comprehensive Sexuality Education -- a list of organizations that promote and provide teaching materials in support of a comprehensive approach to sexuality education.

Let's Talk about Sex: Why Aren't We Telling Kids the Full Story -- a good collection of articles raising questions about the federal government's emphasis on "abstinence only" sex education, despite the research evidence that "abstinence plus" programs are more effective.

Young People and Sex: Parents, Can We Talk? -- listen to a news radio segment that includes interviews with teens about their interactions with parents about sex -- parents aren't talking to youth.

Abstinence Education: Efforts to Assess the Accuracy and Effectiveness of Federally Funded Programs -- a 2006 study conducted by the Government Accounting Agency (U.S. gov't) that found there is little scientific evidence in support of abstinence-only sex ed programs and much of the information presented in them -- i.e., a federal gov't evaluation of the government's approach to sex ed has found it lacking.

Comprehensive Sex Education -- an article in favor of a comprehensive, "abstinence-plus" approach.

Advocates for Youth on Comprehensive Sex Education -- a good resource site about the debate over comprehensive sex education programs (abstinence plus contraception) vs. abstinence only programs.

Abstinence Only Sex Education --an article critical of "abstinence only" programs.

Abstinence Only Education Continues to Flourish -- another article critical of the federal government's emphasis on abstinence-only sex education.

Teachers on Sex Ed -- a report of a 1999 study that found that despite the federal policy emphasis on abstinence-only curricula, nine out of 10 sex education teachers say they believe students need to learn about contraception.

Women's E-News: Gay Teens Ignored by High School Sex Ed Class -- a 2002 article that discusses the difficult task of incorporating homosexual education into class curriculum.

Does Sex Education Work? -- information in response to this important question, including information about effective programs.

Sex Education in America -- a poll about attitudes toward sex education and a radio talk show about the topic -- includes many other links to relevant pieces from National Public Radio.

Sexuality Education -- an online resource center by Planned Parenthood -- includes lots of teaching ideas and information.

A Favorable View of "Abstinence Only" Programs -- an article in support of "abstinence only" programs.

Choosing the Best -- an organization that focuses on abstinence education.

Teenwire -- a site developed by Planned Parenthood geared toward teens.

Teen Health -- a wide range of valuable information including about issues of sexuality.

Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Curriculum -- useful videos.

Campaigns to Undermine Sexuality Education in the Public Schools -- an article about different views of sexuality education.

Campaign for Our Children -- lots of useful information and resources about teen pregnancy and prevention programs.

Resource Center for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention -- good information and ideas for educators.

Protecting Against Unintended Pregnancy: A Guide to Contraceptive Choices -- an article that reviews different methods of contraception.

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy -- data, news, ideas, and links.

Prevention Programs and Related Resources -- descriptions of promising programs.

Not Me Not Now -- a site designed for teens and upper level elementary students.

Sex Etc. -- a site for teens with polls and a discussion forum.

The Parenting Project -- resources and other links relavant to educating young people about parenting.

Closer Look at Teen Pregnancy -- life stories of teen mothers.

Parenting Help for Teens Online -- information and answers to questions directed at teen parents.

Youthwork -- information on sexuality, pregnancy and reproductive health -- includes information about effective pregnancy prevention programs.

Kids Health -- useful site for parents, teens and younger children.

AIDS Education and Research Trust -- useful information about AIDS and HIV.

National Center for Infectious Diseases -- offers useful information and numerous publications.

Sexuality Education for Children and Youth with Disabilities -- useful information for this specific population.

National Institute of Health -- useful information and resources.

American Social Health Association -- information about sexually transmitted diseases.

Safer Sex -- an online journal of research and perspective.

Sex Education Forum -- an international organization that advocates for sex education for all children.

Birth Control Guide -- up-to-date information about methods of contraception and birth control.

The Ultimate Birth Control Links Page -- information about many different forms of birth control.

Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction -- one of the oldest institutions doing research on sexuality.

Health Teacher -- lesson plans and much more.

Some Good Books and Articles
Bradley, L., Jarchow, E. & Robinson, B. 1999. All About Sex: The School Counselor's Guide to Handling Tough Adolsecent Problems. Corwin Press.

Carrera, M., et al. 2000. Knowledge about Reproduction, Contraception, and Sexually Transmitted Infection Among Young Adolescents in American Cities. Social Policy, 30(3): 41.

Ebony Magazine, 2000. What You Should Tell Your Child About Sex and Love. Ebony, 55(4): 62

Egendorf, L. 1999. Teens at Risk: Opposing Viewpoints. Greenhaven Press.

Forrest, S., Vicki, S. and Oakley, A. 2004. What do young people want from sex education? The results of a needs assessment from a peer-led sex education program. in Culture, Health & Sexuality. Taylor & Francis.

Hadley, A. 1998. How to Cut Teenage Pregnancies. New Statesman, November, 127: 24.

Hatcher, R. 1995. Safely Sexual. Irvington.

Ladika, S. 2000. Not Your Mother's Sex Education. Europe, February, p. 41.

Lawson, A. & Rhode, D. (Eds.) 1993. The Politics of Pregnancy: Adolescent Sexuality and Public Policy. Yale University Press.

Martin, K. 1996. Puberty, Sexuality, and the Self: Boys and Girls at Adolescence. Routledge.

Michener, J. 1995. Sex Education: A Success in Our Social Studies Class. The Clearing House, 69(2): 95.

Moran, J. 2000. Teaching Sex: The Shaping of Adolescence in the 20th Century. Harvard University Press.

Ogletree, R. 1995. An Assessment of 23 Selected School-Based Sexuality Curricula. Journal of School Health, 65(5): 186.

Rasmussen, M. 2005. Becoming Subjects: Sexualities and Secondary Schooling. Routledge.

Shore, K. 1998. Special Kids: Problem Solvers (working with students with AIDS/HIV). Prentice Hall.

Washington, H. 2007. Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present. Doubleday.

Winikoff, B. & Wymelenberg, S. 1997. The Whole Truth About Contraception. National Academy of Sciences.