141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

289123
Support for sex education among parents and their adolescents: Findings from a new national survey

Wednesday, November 6, 2013 : 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM

Leslie Kantor, MPH , Vice President of Education, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, New York, NY
Jennifer Johnsen, MPH , Planned Parenthood Federation of America, New York, NY
Over the past 20 years, public opinion polls have consistently found widespread support for sex education. However, previous polls have primarily examined support from likely voters. In 2012, Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Family Circle magazine, with support from the Center for Latino Adolescent and Family Health at New York University, conducted a nationally representative dyadic survey of parent/adolescent pairs to explore support for sex education in middle and high schools, as well as parent-teen communication about sex and sexuality. Adolescents aged 15–18 (n=1,046) and one of their parents (n=1,046) completed the survey, for a total sample of 2,092. Parents and adolescents were asked about their support for topics covered in sex education programs including relationships, abstinence, sexually transmitted diseases, birth control, sexual orientation, and digital behavior like sexting. They also answered extensive questions about their communication about sex and sexuality.

Overall, an overwhelming majority of parents (96%) and adolescents (93%) reported that it is important sex education is taught in high schools. A large majority of parents (94%) and adolescents (88%) also reported that it is important sex education is taught in middle schools. This session will present detailed findings from the research, including areas where parents and adolescents have similar and differing opinions, ways in which parents and adolescents believe schools can improve sex education, and associations between parent-teen communication about sex and sexuality and support for covering those topics in school settings. We will also suggest ways that the research can help support school-based sex education.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Public health or related education
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Compare and contrast parental and teen attitudes toward sex education in schools, including support for the inclusion of particular topics; Describe the remedies parents and teens suggest for improving school-based sex education; Analyze the links between parental and teen’s own communication about sex and sexuality and their support for key topics in school-based sex education.

Keywords: Sexuality, Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have over twenty years of experience in the field of sex education, working as a professional trainer and educator of children, adolescents, young adults, and parents. I currently lead Planned Parenthood’s efforts to promote public policy, national discussion, and interventions that will empower people to lead sexually healthy lives. Additionally, I am a member of the faculty at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, where I teach “Pedagogy of Sexuality Education.”
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.