Sex Education Delays Sex Among Teens, Study Says

Ironically, black teens receive least amount of sex ed

A recent study conducted at the Guttmacher Institute debunks the myth that sex education promotes sexual activity among teens. In fact, it says that not only does proper sex education delay sex among teens, but it also plays a part in more of them using protection when they do decide to start having sex.

According to the findings:

Two-thirds of young women and 55 percent of young men received some form of sex education prior to having sex for the first time

20 percent of students claimed the only education they received about sex solely focused on delaying sex, no mention of birth control and condoms

16 percent of young women and 24 percent of young men had never received any form of sex education

Students who had sex education were more likely to use contraception during their first sexual encounter compared with those with no sex education. They were also likely to lose their virginity to someone more than three years older or younger than themselves

However, there was one alarming fact that didn't sound so promising, teens of color are less likely to receive any form of sex education. Thirty-four percent of Black male teens and 19 percent of Black female teens had not received any form of sex education.

About that group, researchers said, "These demographic groups have poorer [sexual and reproductive health] outcomes, including higher rates of STIs, [HIV], and teen pregnancy, highlighting the unmet need for formal instruction in sex education."

Last month the CDC revealed a study showing that over half of black teens didn't use condoms simply because they thought they couldn't get pregnant.  Uniformed teens usually grow up to become uniformed adults, which may explain why the HIV rate among black women is at alarming highs.

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