Maybe you’ve had conversations with your kid(s) or answered their questions about their bodies, healthy relationships, sexually transmitted diseases, gender roles, communication and decision-making, sexual orientation, pregnancy, reproduction, consent, and personal safety.

No?  Didn’t quite cover all that information yet? That’s OK.  You’re a parent/caregiver and it can be hard to know what to say to your kid(s) and when to make sure they know everything they need to know about sex and their sexual health. We don’t expect parents/caregivers to teach math, but you probably feel pretty certain they are being taught math at their school.

Sex ed is another story.  It shouldn’t be left to chance.

Are There Laws About Sex Education?

Yes. Many states require schools to provide some kind of sex education or HIV education. But what gets taught as part of sex education varies widely by state, school district, and even the building or individual teacher. That’s why it is so important for you to ask questions about what your child is learning about sex education. Learn more about sex education from state to state:


SIECUS Sex Ed Profiles
Guttmacher Factsheet: Sex and HIV Education