Written by: Heather Duvall
Executive Director
She / Her
As parents and young people enter a busy back-to-school season, many families across our communities will have the opportunity for their students to participate in a sexual health education program this school year.
Sexual health education is a key component to ensure that students have medically accurate information about their growth and development. Comprehensive sex education empowers youth to make informed decisions about their health and relationships. It equips young people with the knowledge to navigate complex issues such as consent, sexual health, and contraception. By promoting healthy behaviors and reducing unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, sex education fosters a healthier community, supporting the collective well-being. Ensuring access to preventive care, including sexual health services, helps mitigate public health crises.
Sex ed also supports academic success. A literature review of 30 years of evaluation research on the effects of comprehensive sex education (Goldfarb & Lieberman, 2021) found strong evidence that integrating the full range of sexual health topics can positively impact all areas of a young person’s life. The physical and emotional health of young people is related to their academic achievement, as healthier students are more likely to stay in school and achieve higher grades. Students who receive comprehensive sex education tend to have higher attendance than their counterparts who have not received sex ed.
At the intersection of sexual health education and access to quality healthcare services is a commitment to young people. This commitment is just as important as any other subject covered in class. Young people learn valuable skills about how to be a good friend, how to take care of themselves and their bodies, and how to respect and value each other for the things that make them so beautifully unique. These critical components not only contribute to well-being on an individual level, but also to the overall strength of our schools, families, and communities.
We know that access to education and resources works. Since 2009, the Oklahoma teen birth rate has declined 67 percent! This significant decline is possible because of Oklahoma youth and our families, educators, schools, and healthcare entities working together to ensure young people have what they need to thrive.
When young people live in communities where sex education and reproductive healthcare are widely available, they make informed decisions about their sexual health—a key part of overall health and well-being. Knowing how your body works is a human right. Access to healthcare services, including sexual and reproductive health services, ensures that these rights are upheld. It supports gender equality, empowers marginalized communities, and promotes social justice—all essential elements of a strong and inclusive society.
Parents have the right to ensure their children receive quality sexual health education. Most Tulsa parents feel it’s important for youth to receive sexual health education, and they want their children to have a sexual health curriculum at school. If you’re wondering if your student will receive sex ed this year, reach out to your school to find out. Advocating for robust sex education and accessible healthcare is a matter of public health and supports academic success for all young people. You can find more resources on our website or email info@amplifytulsa.org.
Goldfarb, E. S., & Lieberman, L. D. (2020). Three decades of research: The case for comprehensive sex education. Journal of Adolescent Health, 68, 13-27.