In the United States, almost 1 million teens get pregnant every year and 3 million get a sexually transmitted disease. Most Americans believe that the best way to teach young people about sex is to give them the facts, along with guidance about how to make good decisions. And studies prove they're right - the more that kids learn about how to negotiate and communicate in relationships, as well as about abstinence and contraception, the safer and more responsible their behavior.

The overwhelming majority of U.S. voters want comprehensive sex education

Sex education includes information about abstinence, and promotes it as a responsible choice for young people, while providing information about sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy prevention. Good quality sex education doesn't just focus on one topic, but covers a range of subjects that young people need to make responsible decisions and become healthy adults. Programs that include accurate information about contraception and protection against sexually transmitted disease have been proven effective in encouraging teens to postpone sex until they are older, and increasing the use of contraception and safer sex practices for those who do become sexually active.

"Abstinence-only" programs leave young people in the dark

Young people need programs that will help them protect their health. Politics should not be allowed to get in the way. "Abstinence-only" programs censor balanced medically accurate information about contraception. "Abstinence-only" programs prohibit teachers from answering students' questions about topics like contraception and safer sex. No scientific study has ever found that an "abstinence-only" program has worked.

Healthy lives begin with what our children learn now. Let's give them the information they need -- and the chance to be safe.

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