Let's Get Real

Written by Hannah Gross

Since current pregnancy prevention programs have been proven ineffective and even harmful at times, it is important to consider the possible alternatives. The Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act (S. 611/H.R.1551), sponsored by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA), would provide funding for a comprehensive approach to sex education in schools. Under the REAL Act, comprehensive sex education is a program that:
a) Is age-appropriate and medically accurate;
b) Stresses the value of abstinence while not ignoring young people who have had or are having sex;
c) Provides accurate information about the health benefits and side effects of all contraceptives and barrier methods used as a means to prevent pregnancy, and to reduce the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV;
d) Encourages family communication between parent and child about sexuality;
e) Teaches young people the skills to make responsible decisions about sexuality, including how to avoid unwanted verbal, physical and sexual advances and how to avoid making verbal, physical and sexual advances that are not wanted by the other party;
f) Explores the components of healthy relationships, including the prevention of dating and sexual violence;
g) Teaches young people how alcohol and drug use can affect responsible decision making; and
h) Does not teach or promote religion.

Comprehensive sex education teaches abstinence as the best method to avoid unintended pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Infections, but also teaches about alternative methods such as condoms and contraception. There have been many studies that have proven comprehensive sex education to be effective in delaying sexual activities, having fewer sexual partners, and using methods of contraception when they engage in sexual activity. A study by Kohler, Manhart and Lafferty (2008) found that those who received a comprehensive sex education were no more likely to have sex than those in abstinence-only programs to have sex, comprehensive sex, comprehensive sex education was associated with a 50 percent lower risk of teen pregnancy. In addition to the REAL Act, restoring access to affordable birth control and removing the age restriction for access to emergency contraception should be included in federal legislation to help reduce the risk of teen pregnancy.

The United States’ teen pregnancy rate is over three times that of France, over four times that of Germany, and over five times that of the Netherlands. Adolescent sexual health outcomes are significantly more positive in these European countries because of the easier access to sexual health information and services and pragmatic governmental policies. They provide their youth with the necessary tools to avoid unintended pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections. Their governments provide consistent and long-term public sex education campaigns, not only in the classroom but in the media as well. Sex education is integrated into all school subjects at all grade levels and the information provided is accurate and complete. Also, the youth have easy access to free or inexpensive contraception. Passing the REAL Act and modeling the policies and methods of European countries would certainly decrease the rates of unintended teen pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections in the United States.

References
Marr, A., & Hitchcock, D. (n.d.). Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act. Advocates For Youth. Retrieved October 6, 2010, from

Kohler et al. “Abstinence-only and Comprehensive Sex Education and the Initiation of Sexual Activity and Teen Pregnancy.” Journal of Adolescent Health, 42(4): 344-351. 

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