ABSTRACT
In a study published in International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, researchers reviewed evaluations of 22 sex education programs for adolescents and young adults, comparing how effective they were in reducing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. The approach of abstinence-only (AO) education is built on a heteronormative framework that both marginalizes and stigmatizes lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-gender, queer/questioning teens. The Donald Trump administration’s actions in funding only AO programming will make it nearly impossible for schools to provide sexuality education to all students. Students who participate in AO programming more frequently engage in risky behaviors after becoming sexually active, of which there is little to no delay, because they have incorrect information or are misinformed about how to protect themselves. With the resurgence of funding under the Trump administration, conservative and religious advocates of AO programming are attempting to rebrand AO programs as sexual-risk avoidance program and seeking new funding sources from the federal government.
