Because of pregnancy and childbirth among unmarried adolescents, particularly
young adolescents, often resulting in severe adverse health, social, and
economic consequences, including: a higher percentage of pregnancy and
childbirth complications; a higher incidence of low birth weight babies;
a higher frequency of developmental disabilities; higher infant mortality
and morbidity; and a decreased likelihood of completing school, there are
laws regulating sex education in schools.
The following is an example of a state statute on sex education for
students:
Minimum contents to be included in sex education program or curriculum.
(a) Any program or curriculum in the public schools in Alabama that
includes sex education or the human reproductive process shall, as a minimum,
include and emphasize the following:
- Abstinence from sexual intercourse is the only completely effective
protection against unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and
acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) when transmitted sexually
- Abstinence from sexual intercourse outside of lawful marriage is
the expected social standard for unmarried school-age persons.
(b) Course materials and instruction that relate to sexual education
or sexually transmitted diseases should be age-appropriate.
(c) Course materials and instruction that relate to sexual education
or sexually transmitted diseases should include all of the following elements:
- An emphasis on sexual abstinence as the only completely reliable
method of avoiding unwanted teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted
diseases.
- An emphasis on the importance of self-control and ethical conduct
pertaining to sexual behavior.
- Statistics based on the latest medical information that indicate
the degree of reliability and unreliability of various forms of contraception,
while also emphasizing the increase in protection against pregnancy and
protection against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and AIDS
infection, which is afforded by the use of various contraceptive measures.
- Information concerning the laws relating to the financial responsibilities
associated with pregnancy, childbirth, and child rearing.
- Information concerning the laws prohibiting sexual abuse, the need
to report such abuse, and the legal options available to victims of sexual
abuse.
- Information on how to cope with and rebuff unwanted physical and
verbal sexual exploitation by other persons.
- Psychologically sound methods of resisting unwanted peer pressure.
- An emphasis, in a factual manner and from a public health perspective,
that homosexuality is not a lifestyle acceptable to the general public
and that homosexual conduct is a criminal offense under the laws of the
state.
- Comprehensive instruction in parenting skills and responsibilities,
including the responsibility to pay child support by non-custodial parents,
the penalties for non-payment of child support, and the legal and ethical
responsibilities of child care and child rearing.
