Abstinence-only versus Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Puerto Rico: A Critical Analysis

Sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS have increased dramatically in Puerto Rico during the last years. School-aged populations are under particular risks according to national trends. The School Health Program at the Department of Education in Puerto Rico has integrated education on sexuality and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, to its curricular guidelines. Among these guidelines has been established that school health education in primary grades should address sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, and abstinence-only education should be implemented in secondary grades.

This research critically analyze the curricular guidelines for primary and secondary grades currently under implementation in the School Health Program in Puerto Rico using school health education standards proposed in technical documents from the Pan-American Health Organization, the World Association for Sexual Health and the Puerto Rico Abstinence Education Program. Findings evidence the disparities among the standards suggested by technical documents and the model for sexuality education currently implemented in Puerto Rican schools. Comprehensive sexuality education is challenged by gaps in the continuum of curricular priorities, funding availability, lack of evaluation, and governmental ideologies related to sexual practices and sexual behaviors among Puerto Rican youth.