Comprehensive Sex Education

Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Education

Teaches that sexuality is a natural, normal, healthy part of life

Teaches that sexual expression outside of marriage will have harmful social, psychological, and physical consequences

Teaches that abstinence from sexual intercourse is the most effective method of preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV

Teaches that abstinence from sexual intercourse before marriage is the only acceptable behavior

Provides values-based education and offers students the opportunity to explore and define their individual values as well as the values of their families and communities

Teaches only one set of values as morally correct for all students

Includes a wide variety of sexuality related topics, such as human development, relationships, interpersonal skills, sexual expression, sexual health, and society and culture

Limits topics to abstinence-only-until-marriage and to the negative consequences of pre-marital sexual activity

Includes accurate, factual information on abortion, masturbation, and sexual orientation

Usually omits controversial topics such as abortion, masturbation,
and sexual orientation

Provides positive messages about sexuality and sexual expression, including the benefits of abstinence

Often uses fear tactics to promote abstinence and to limit sexual expression

Teaches that proper use of latex condoms, along with water-based lubricants, can greatly reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV

Discusses condoms only in terms of failure rates; often exaggerates condom failure rates

Teaches that consistent use of modern methods of contraception can greatly reduce a couple's risk for unintended pregnancy

Provides no information on forms of contraception other than failure rates of condoms and contraception

Includes accurate medical information about STIs, including HIV; teaches that individuals can avoid STIs

Often includes inaccurate medical information and exaggerated statistics regarding STIs, including HIV; suggests that STIs are an inevitable result of premarital sexual behavior

Teaches that religious values can play an important role in an individual's decisions about sexual expression; offers students the opportunity to explore their own and their family's religious values

Often promotes specific religious values

Teaches that a woman faced with an unintended pregnancy has options: carrying the pregnancy to term and raising the baby, or carrying the pregnancy to term and placing the baby for adoption, or ending the pregnancy with an abortion

Teaches that carrying the pregnancy to term and placing the baby for adoption is the only morally correct option for pregnant teens