Comprehensive sex ed is the only real way to help our youth stay safe and address the growing health crises among Massachusetts youth. Below, you can explore the research-backed case for why we need the Healthy Youth Act. From shedding light on the dismal status quo of sex ed in Massachusetts schools to explaining why sex ed is an intersectional issue, read on to learn more.
STATUS QUO
Most MA schools aren’t covering the basics in sex ed
School Health Profiles 2020
CDC - YRBS - Youth Online
- Only 50% of MA teens report that they learned how to use a condom
- Only 49% of MA youth have ever talked to them about what they expect around sexual decisions
- By the time Massachusetts high school students graduate, over 60% of them will have had sex
School Health Profiles 2020
CDC - YRBS - Youth Online
COMPREHENSIVE SEX ED
Comprehensive sex education helps teens stay safe and healthy. Sex education reduces unwanted pregnancy, lowers STI rates, improves media literacy, and teaches children recognize and report sexual abuse. (Three Decades of Research)
91 percent of registered Massachusetts voters said they believe students should receive sex education in high school and 93 percent agreed that sex education should include a comprehensive range of topics (Attitude of Likely Voters Poll)
91 percent of registered Massachusetts voters said they believe students should receive sex education in high school and 93 percent agreed that sex education should include a comprehensive range of topics (Attitude of Likely Voters Poll)
SEXUAL HEALTH CRISIS
- Over the last decade, chlamydia has risen by over 60%, syphilis has tripled, and gonorrhea has quadrupled (source)
- Only 13% of high school students have been tested for STDs this year, but 50% of infections are in young people (source)
- Even though the teen birth rate is declining in Massachusetts, there are stark disparities by race and ethnicity (source)
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAUL
Without any education about consent, MA students are at risk for sexual violence.
- 10% of MA high school students have experienced sexual assault
- 7% of MA high school students have experienced physical dating violence (source)
LGBTQ YOUTH
81% of LGBTQ youth in MA learn nothing about LGBTQ topics in sex ed, an experience that leaving them without tools they need to stay healthy while also isolating and stigmatizing them. (source for all)
- They are disproportionately likely to experience negative outcomes like STIs, sexual violence, and physical dating violence
- Over 50% of them reported being bullied for their orientation or gender identity
© 2023 Healthy Youth Act Coalition
