o the Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. has more than double the teen pregnancy rate of any western industrialized country, with more than a million teenagers becoming pregnant each year (Does Sex Education Work?, 1999). Research indicates that knowledge alone is not enough to change behaviors (DiClemente, Durbin & Siegel, 1992).Various Programs that WorkNumerous programs do work to varying degrees. Reducing the Risk, a program for high school students in urban and rural areas of California used behavior theory-based activities to reduce unprotected intercourse. Postponing Sexual Involvement, a program for African-American 8th graders in Atlanta used peers to help teens understand social and peer pressure to have sex and develop and apply resistance skills. Health educators in Oakland, California teach basic sex and drug education, focusing on interactive exercises on values, decision-making, communication and condom-use skills (Does Sex Education Work?, 1999). Effective Sex Education Program CharacteristicsA review of 23 studies found that effective sex education programs share the following characteristics:1.Narrow focus on reducing sexual risk-taking behaviors that may lead to HIV/STD infection or unintended pregnancy.2.Social learning theories as a foundation for program development, focusing on recognizing social influences, changing individual values, changing group norms, and building social skills.3.Experimental activities designed to personalize basic, accurate information about the risks of unprotected intercourse and methods of avoiding unprotected intercourse.4.Activities that address social or media influences on sexual behaviors.5.Reinforcing clear and appropriate values to strengthen individual values and group norms against unprotected sex.6.Modeling and practice in communication, negotiation, and refusal skills (Kirby, Short and Collins, 1994).It is clear that society cannot continue to treat sex education and ...
