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'''Sex Education''' is classroom instruction on [[human reproduction]] and [[sexuality]]. It is one of the hottest cultural issues in American politics, with [[liberal]]s and some conservatives favoring "science-based" (comprehensive) teaching on aspects of abstinence and birth control methods, as well as reproductive organs. A lot of conservatives, especially social conservatives, favor abstinence-only sex education, with no mention of contraception or birth control except in relation to their failure rates. Other conservatives are against sex education (in schools) altogether, taking the "[[moral]]" side and wanting as little mention of sex in classrooms as possible, leaving parents to instruct their children as to sexual morality and information relating to sex and reproductive organs.

'''Sex Education''' is classroom instruction on [[human reproduction]] and [[sexuality]]. It is one of the hottest cultural issues in American politics, with [[liberal]]s and some conservatives favoring "science-based" (comprehensive) teaching on aspects of abstinence and birth control methods, as well as reproductive organs. A lot of conservatives, especially social conservatives, favor abstinence-only sex education, with no mention of contraception or birth control except in relation to their failure rates. Other conservatives are against sex education (in schools) altogether, taking the "[[moral]]" side and wanting as little mention of sex in classrooms as possible, leaving parents to instruct their children as to sexual morality and information relating to sex and reproductive organs.

Studies have not shown that abstinence-only education produces successful outcomes.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/13/AR2007041301003.html Study Casts Doubt on Abstinence-Only Programs]</ref> According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, "Abstinence-only programs have not demonstrated successful outcomes with regard to delayed initiation of sexual activity or use of safer sex practices.... Programs that encourage abstinence as the best option for adolescents, but offer a discussion of HIV prevention and contraception as the best approach for adolescents who are sexually active, have been shown to delay the initiation of sexual activity and increase the proportion of sexually active adolescents who reported using birth control."<ref>http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/108/2/498</ref>

Studies have not shown that abstinence-only education produces successful outcomes.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/13/AR2007041301003.html Study Casts Doubt on Abstinence-Only Programs]</ref> According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, "Abstinence-only programs have not demonstrated successful outcomes with regard to delayed initiation of sexual activity or use of safer sex practices.... Programs that encourage abstinence as the best option for adolescents, but offer a discussion of HIV prevention and contraception as the best approach for adolescents who are sexually active, have been shown to delay the initiation of sexual activity and increase the proportion of sexually active adolescents who reported using birth control."<ref>http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/108/2/498</ref>

Arthur Caplan, director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania, argues that abstinence-only sex education leads to the opposite of the intended results by spreading ignorance regarding sexually-transmitted diseases and the proper use of contraceptives to prevent both infections and pregnancy.<ref>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9504871/</ref>

Arthur Caplan, director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania, argues that abstinence-only sex education leads to the opposite of the intended results by spreading ignorance regarding sexually-transmitted diseases and the proper use of contraceptives to prevent both infections and pregnancy.<ref>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9504871/</ref> His view was not supported in the studies either.

In England the National Curriculum www.dfes.gov.uk requires all schools to offer comprehensive sex education as part of Personal, Social and Health Education, from middle school on, but parents may choose to not have their children attend sex education classes.

In England the National Curriculum www.dfes.gov.uk requires all schools to offer comprehensive sex education as part of Personal, Social and Health Education, from middle school on, but parents may choose to not have their children attend sex education classes.