What does research say about abstinence-only education

What does research say about abstinence-only education? How does this information fit with your community’s needs, values, and attitudes about sexuality education? (When responding to this question, feel free to share any information about the community where you live and any unique needs that community has that may apply to sex education.) 

– What are some effective ways teachers can respond to parents who express concern/anger over how sexual health is taught to children? How can teachers professionally respond to parent concerns about sexual health education? 

– Share some examples of age-appropriate lessons you can include about sexual health for younger children. How might you begin to talk about topics like gender roles, consent, and body awareness in age-appropriate ways with kindergarteners and first graders? 

– Explore the “Strategies for Learning and Assessment” from Ch. 13 (pgs. 375-384). Discuss examples of how certain skills taught at the earlier grade levels build into age-appropriate discussions about sexual health for middle school-age children. For example, how might lessons about family members and qualities of a good friend prepare students to discuss the male/female reproductive system and healthy relationships in middle school (see NHES 1)?