Comprehensive Sex Education Versus Abstinence-Only
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
27-4-2009 10:00 AM
End Date
27-4-2009 12:00 PM
Student's Major
Social Work
Student's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Mentor's Name
Christine Black-Hughes
Mentor's Department
Social Work
Mentor's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Description
"Each year in the United States, 800,000 - 900,000 adolescents agedpregnant" (CDC, 2000). In addition "about one in four sexually active teens acquire a sexually transmitted disease every year" (The Power of SADD, 2003). The primary purpose of this study was to develop a comprehensive sex education program for adolescents in a rural Minnesota school district that would assist in reducing the high risk of mintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Additional research was to determine if comprehensive sex education was more effective than abstinence-only, as well as, the appropriate grade level to begin effective sex education with the students. In order to conduct the study, a classical experimental design was used. A treatment group of adolescents were randomly selected to participate in a prevention program that focused on comprehensive sex education, lasting over a period of two weeks. The program promoted abstinence-only, but also provided information on sexually transmitted diseases and ways to prevent unintended pregnancies. In addition, a control group was randomly selected to participate in the study. A pretest and posttest was given to measure results. Additional data on the most appropriate and effective grade level to begin sex education was collected through the use of a survey instrument. The instrument was randomly distributed to students and faculty in the middle school (sixth through eighth grade), as well as, high school (ninth through twelfth grade). A comprehensive approach to sex education is a consideration that public schools may want to consider.
Comprehensive Sex Education Versus Abstinence-Only
CSU Ballroom
"Each year in the United States, 800,000 - 900,000 adolescents agedpregnant" (CDC, 2000). In addition "about one in four sexually active teens acquire a sexually transmitted disease every year" (The Power of SADD, 2003). The primary purpose of this study was to develop a comprehensive sex education program for adolescents in a rural Minnesota school district that would assist in reducing the high risk of mintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Additional research was to determine if comprehensive sex education was more effective than abstinence-only, as well as, the appropriate grade level to begin effective sex education with the students. In order to conduct the study, a classical experimental design was used. A treatment group of adolescents were randomly selected to participate in a prevention program that focused on comprehensive sex education, lasting over a period of two weeks. The program promoted abstinence-only, but also provided information on sexually transmitted diseases and ways to prevent unintended pregnancies. In addition, a control group was randomly selected to participate in the study. A pretest and posttest was given to measure results. Additional data on the most appropriate and effective grade level to begin sex education was collected through the use of a survey instrument. The instrument was randomly distributed to students and faculty in the middle school (sixth through eighth grade), as well as, high school (ninth through twelfth grade). A comprehensive approach to sex education is a consideration that public schools may want to consider.
Recommended Citation
Soper, Shawna L.. "Comprehensive Sex Education Versus Abstinence-Only." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 27, 2009.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2009/poster-session-A/6
