Sex Education 'Only Does So Much'

This British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) News article gives results of a study by the Medical Research Council of the United Kingdom (UK), which compared two types of sex education programmes in 25 secondary schools.

It distinguished between the programme singled out for study, the Share programmes, and other ones, by attributing to the Share programme more intensive teacher training and focus on developing skills using role-playing, rather than simply providing information and discussing values. Research results showed that pregnancy and abortion rates among girls taught with an enhanced sex education scheme were the same as among girls given conventional sex education, though both teachers and students preferred the enhanced programme.

Given the finding that economic circumstances largely determine the likelihood of teenage pregnancy, the study suggests that, to have a stronger impact, alternative interventions should be considered. One intervention might be stronger parent involvement in providing guidance to their children. Another might be coordinated information, services and education.

The article concludes with a recommendation from the UK Department for Education and Skills: "High quality Personal Social Health Education is a vital part of a successful strategy which must also include easy access to advice and contraception for young people."