School Based Sex Education and Teen Pregnancy
Effects of School Based Sex Education and the Rate of Teen Pregnancy
Katherine Marsella
Dr. Gayle Brosnan-Watters
Arizona State University
Abstract
The proposed correlation study would examine the relationship between school based sex education and the rate of teen pregnancy. Teen pregnancy rates in the United States exceed one million each year, generating the top pregnancy rates of any Western developed country (Mitchell-DiCenso, 1997). This study used a group of 250 students who are enrolled in 7th and 8th grade schools with a school based sex education program and 250 students who are enrolled in schools without sex education programs. The results of this study are expected to show that students who were exposed to school based sex education have a lower rate of teen pregnancies than students who were not exposed to school based sex education. Educating teens on the uses of contraception could significantly lower the number of teen pregnancies in the United States each year.
Effects of School Based Sex Education and the Rate of Teen Pregnancy
Teen pregnancy rates in the United States exceed one million each year, generating the top pregnancy rates of any Western developed country (Mitchell-DiCenso, 1997). The staggering rate of pregnancy among American teenagers clearly demonstrates that there is a significant need to educate teens on the consequences of their sexual activity. According to Mitchell-Dicenso (1997), the rate at which teens are becoming sexuality active continues to rise, and as a consequence of improper contraceptive use, pregnancy rates are also increasing causing health and economic concerns among this group.
A study by Bennett and Nassim (2005) shows that the birthrate of unmarried American woman giving birth between the ages 15-19 has quadrupled from 1960 to 1992. Thomas and Dimitrov (2007) project that fewer than 25% of American teenagers under the age of 15 have engaged in sexual activity; therefore if teenagers can be
Katherine Marsella
Dr. Gayle Brosnan-Watters
Arizona State University
Abstract
The proposed correlation study would examine the relationship between school based sex education and the rate of teen pregnancy. Teen pregnancy rates in the United States exceed one million each year, generating the top pregnancy rates of any Western developed country (Mitchell-DiCenso, 1997). This study used a group of 250 students who are enrolled in 7th and 8th grade schools with a school based sex education program and 250 students who are enrolled in schools without sex education programs. The results of this study are expected to show that students who were exposed to school based sex education have a lower rate of teen pregnancies than students who were not exposed to school based sex education. Educating teens on the uses of contraception could significantly lower the number of teen pregnancies in the United States each year.
Effects of School Based Sex Education and the Rate of Teen Pregnancy
Teen pregnancy rates in the United States exceed one million each year, generating the top pregnancy rates of any Western developed country (Mitchell-DiCenso, 1997). The staggering rate of pregnancy among American teenagers clearly demonstrates that there is a significant need to educate teens on the consequences of their sexual activity. According to Mitchell-Dicenso (1997), the rate at which teens are becoming sexuality active continues to rise, and as a consequence of improper contraceptive use, pregnancy rates are also increasing causing health and economic concerns among this group.
A study by Bennett and Nassim (2005) shows that the birthrate of unmarried American woman giving birth between the ages 15-19 has quadrupled from 1960 to 1992. Thomas and Dimitrov (2007) project that fewer than 25% of American teenagers under the age of 15 have engaged in sexual activity; therefore if teenagers can be
References: Bennett, S.E. & Nassim, A.P. (2005). School-Based Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Programs: A Systematic Review of Randomized Control Trials. Journal of Adolescent Health, 36(1), 72-81. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2003.11.097 Mauldon, Jane & Luker, Kristin. (1996). The Effects of Contraception Education on Method Use as First Intercourse. Family Planning Perspectives, 28(1), 19-24. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/ehost/detail?vid=10&hid=18&sid=2916097e-7ca6-437f-a145-b45fcee1773b%40sessionmgr14&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=9603200741 Mitchell-DiCenso, A., Thomas, H.B., Devlin, C.M., Goldsmith, C.H., Willan, A., Singer, J.,...Hewson, S. (1997). Evaluation of an Educational Program to Prevent Adolescent Pregnancy. Health Education & Behavior, 24(3), 300-312. doi:10.1177/109019819702400304 Somers, C.L., Johnson, S.A., and Sawilowsky, S.S. (2002). A Measure for Evaluting the Effectiveness of Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs. Psychology in Schools, 39(3), 337-342. doi:10.1002/pits.10023 Stanger-Hall, K.F. & Hall, D.W. (2011). Abstinence-Only Education and Teen Pregnancy Rates: Why We Need Comprehensive Sex Education in the US. PLoS ONE, 6(10), 1-11. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0024658 Thomas, C.L,& Dimitrov, D.M. (2007). Effects of a Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program on Teens ' Attitudes Towards Sexuality: A latent Trait Modeling Approach. Developmental Psychology, 43(1), 173-185. doi:10.1037/0012-1694.43.1.173