Chances are at some point in your life, you have experienced some sort of sexual education. Sex ed in the United States varies between states, and even between districts within states, on what is legally allowed to be taught within the classroom. These variances can encompass things like lessons on contraceptive use, sexual orientation, abstinence, sexual transmitted infections (STIs) and more. The question that is now on the minds of many Americans is: are our children being taught sex ed in the most effective way possible?

The answer to that question is extremely complex, and most of that complexity lies within the controversy surrounding abstinence-only education. An abstinence-only sex ed program is one that, simply put, teaches students that sex should be something reserved only for adults who are married. This type of education often excludes any lessons on safe sex or other matters of sexual reproduction. States and districts that subscribe to this type of sex ed for students make the argument that abstinence-only courses are the only ethical method of educating students on matters of sex.

Here's where we hit a problem.

There's no question that we all want to prevent unwanted pregnancies in adolescents. Young mothers and fathers face insurmountable challenges when going through the processes of delivering and raising a child of their own. Presumably, sex ed programs in schools are meant to be a preventative measure in the issue of adolescent pregnancy. These courses are meant to provide a knowledge base for students adequate enough to help them understand the risks and consequences associated with unprotected sex. However, when we look into statistics involving teen pregnancy in states that promote abstinence-only education, it seems that these programs may be falling short.

The maps above show several correlations in the increased percentages of teen pregnancies in states (or districts within states) that stress abstinence as opposed to information on contraceptive use -- most notably, Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and New Mexico.

The problem with the blurred lines of what is to be taught within the classroom in regards to sex ed has lead to nationwide controversy as well as confusion for students around the country. What may arguably be the most disturbing discrepancies of sex education is how lax the regulations are on whether the information given to students has to even be medically accurate!!!

Check out this still of a recent “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” segment entitled, “Sex Education:”

In the words of the great John Oliver: “That’s right!”

Only 13 states in the U.S. require that sex ed instruction be medically accurate, and that is a real problem!

Much of the controversy on teaching medically accurate sex ed again relates back to the abstinence-only curriculum. Abstinence-only is all about the “mystery” that is sex; the less you know, the better. Saving sex until marriage means that all the details behind it are saved for that time as well -- even vernacular. However, this mentality prevents students from having important questions about their changing bodies answered! Whether you believe in abstinence-only or not, when children are being taught about their bodies in a way that may or may not be medically accurate, we are setting them up for confusion and frustration. Coming to a decision surrounding the ethics and effectiveness of different forms of sex ed may be an endless debate, but giving accurate information to our children in order to promote healthy self and sexual awareness should not.

The discussion on sex ed will go on, but statistics continue to show that whatever it is we are doing, it is by no means the most effective method! It is crucial that young adults are given the proper tools to find their way through adolescence in the safest and happiest way possible; and the sooner that we can all agree that promoting a healthy understanding about their bodies and sexuality is a part of that, the happier we will all be.

For more information on this topic, as well as some beautiful comedic timing, check out John Oliver’s video on Sex Education below.