Facts about Sex Education in the U.S.

While teen pregnancies are on a decline across the nation, teens are having more sex — and contracting more STIs than ever before. The problem, according to a new report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is that sex education isn’t happening early enough.

The CDC study reveals that nearly 15 percent of 15-year-olds have had sex, and 23 percent of teens didn’t use contraception when they lost their virginity. Among teen girls who were sexually experienced, 83 percent told interviewers that they didn’t get formal sex education until after they’d lost their virginity.

So, what are young people being taught about sex at school? These 11 facts will surprise you.

1. Only 22 states and the District of Columbia require that public schools teach sex education.

The requirements vary from state-to-state — 19 states require the curriculum be “medically accurate,” which typically means using clinical terminology for reproductive parts, and disclosing the mechanics of different types of sex. In addition, 33 states also mandate HIV/AIDS education, and 35 states let parents opt out on behalf of their child.

Read the full post here.