Educating Teenagers About Sex in the United States

Most teenagers received formal sex education before they were 18 (96% of female and 97% of male teenagers). Female teenagers were more likely than male teenagers to report first receiving instruction on birth control methods in high school (47% compared with 38%). Younger female teenagers were more likely than younger male teenagers to have talked to their parents about sex and birth control. Nearly two out of three female teenagers talked to their parents about “how to say no to sex” compared with about two out of five male teenagers. Most teenagers received formal sex education before they were 18 (96% of female and 97% of male teenagers). Female teenagers were more likely than male teenagers to report first receiving instruction on birth control methods in high school (47% compared with 38%). Younger female teenagers were more likely than younger male teenagers to have talked to their parents about sex and birth control. Nearly two out of three female teenagers talked to their parents about “how to say no to sex” compared with about two out of five male teenagers.