Closing the Sex Education Gap for Teens

Teenagers go through significant physical, emotional, and hormonal changes, which are accompanied by a never-ending list of questions, doubts, and insecurities. Most of us remember the first time a friend whispered a half-truth about sex in a school hallway, or when we nervously looked up a confusing question online. The more we were told, the greater the confusion and curiosity.  

Sex education happens everywhere. At its most formal, it’s commonly taught in schools as part of biology or dedicated welfare classes. At its most informal, it may consist of stories told at a sleepover or a TikTok shared among friends. Yet not everyone receives, or has access to, sex education in the same way. Despite decades of effort by governments, charities, and health organizations, sex education across the globe remains fragmented, inconsistent, and potentially dangerous.⁴ 

But why is the sex education gap a problem? Well, apart from relieving anxieties about a perfectly natural aspect of human life, sex education plays an important role in reducing unplanned pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.² Any gap in sex education—whether it be an access gap between different groups of teenagers, or a content gap between what teenagers are being taught and what they need to know—risks undermining the health and well-being of young people. Behavioral science can shed light on the social norms, stigma, and communication practices surrounding sex education today, helping practitioners, educators, and policymakers bridge the gap between what young people are currently being told and what they actually need.