May is Sex Ed for All Month!
You can help celebrate Sex Ed for All Month AND support the work to make relationship and sexual health education accessible by donating today.
Did you know Ohio is the only state in the country without a standard curriculum for health education?
Yes, you read that correctly...sexual health programming in Ohio is not mandated to be medically accurate, age-appropriate, culturally competent, or inclusive of LGBTQ+ students.
From the American Medical Association to the American Academy of Pediatrics, experts agree that comprehensive, inclusive, and medically accurate sex education is critical for young people. Relationship and sexual health education is widely supported among parents, yet fewer than half of high schools and less than a fifth of middle schools teach all 20 topics recommended by the CDC as essential components of curriculum.
However, comprehensive relationship and sexual health education, like the type provided by Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region, equips individuals with the information they need to:
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Understand their body, gender identity, and sexuality
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Build and maintain healthy and safe relationships
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Engage in healthy communication and decision-making around sex
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Practice healthy sexual behavior
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Understand and access care to support their sexual and reproductive health
Studies also clearly demonstrate relationship and sexual health education has enormous benefits like:
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Reduced frequency of unprotected sex
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Reduced incidences of intimate partner violence
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Increased condom use
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Increased contraceptive use
Our programming is inclusive and intersectional. Research shows facilitating these conversations at developmentally congruent levels helps reduce stigma and stereotyping. When young people receive accurate information about different identities and sexual orientations, they are more likely to develop positive attitudes and reduce prejudice and less likely to engage in name-calling or discriminatory behavior.
Constant attacks on access and ongoing restrictions surrounding comprehensive sexual health education in schools make high quality and financially accessible options critical—especially in Ohio.
We know that accessible and comprehensive relationship and sexual health education reduces negative health impacts and empowers individuals with the knowledge they need to live autonomous and informed lives. That’s why Sex Ed for All Month is so important. Here at Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region, we are committed to bridging the gap in education disparities for those in under resourced and historically excluded communities.
Our education team strives to meet the needs of youth, teens, and adults through a wide variety of opportunities and programming. We’re committed to creating programming that meets the needs and celebrates the different identities that inform the spectrum of relationship and sexual health. From summer camps, our unique programs for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/ DD), trainings for professionals, teachers, parents, and caregivers, Spanish language programming, or our multitude of online resources, we’re here for you this month and every month.
With your help, we can continue to offer services to all. Your tax-deductible, secure contribution will be used to bring high quality, comprehensive, inclusive, and medically accurate education to those most in need. Ohioans deserve it!
Click HERE to support PPSWO’s Educational programs and make a gift in honor of Sex Ed for All Month!
We encourage you to check out our WEBSITE to discover all the ways our education team reaches our community with vital programming and resources.
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