All articles tagged with #sexual education
Ruth Westheimer, known as Dr. Ruth, the pioneering sex therapist famous for her candid advice on radio and television, has died at 96. A Holocaust survivor, she became a beloved figure in sexual education, known for her frank discussions and cheerful demeanor. Her work helped many improve their intimate lives and relationships.
STD rates among Americans aged 55 and older have surged, with cases of syphilis and Chlamydia significantly increasing over the past decade, according to the CDC. Experts attribute this trend to a lack of formal sex education for this generation. The 2022 data revealed 5,160 reported syphilis cases and 19,766 Chlamydia cases in this age group, marking a substantial rise from previous years.
New York City's public school curriculum includes teaching kindergarteners about sexually transmitted diseases and gender identity, with a picture book featuring illustrations of diverse children and promoting the idea that penises and vulvas are not exclusive to one sex. The program also covers HIV education, with lessons increasing in detail as children progress through higher grades. Some parents have expressed outrage, calling the curriculum "beyond inappropriate," and one mother noted that there was no choice to opt out of the lessons for her 5-year-old child.
North Carolina is experiencing a rise in sexually transmitted infections, with high rates of HIV, syphilis, and chlamydia. The state's worst health score was for sexual behaviors, and WakeMed Raleigh OB/GYN Dr. Jenna Beckham attributes this to stigmas, lack of sexual education, and limited access to healthcare, especially in rural communities. She emphasizes the need for open conversations about sexual health, regular screenings, and practicing safe sex to reduce the risk of contracting infections, particularly among younger patients and LGBTQ+ individuals. Additionally, HPV vaccination rates in North Carolina teens are lower than the national average, highlighting the importance of sexual education and healthcare access.
Escambia County in Florida has removed dictionaries containing definitions of words like "sex" from school libraries as part of a review of the controversial HB1069 bill, which aims to impose stricter controls on sexual education materials. This move is part of a wider trend of book removals in response to the bill, with 2,800 books already taken off the shelves. Advocacy group PEN America has taken the district to court over the decision, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has denied accusations of banning books in the state.
"How to Have Sex" is a British coming-of-age film about three teenage girls on a wild partying trip to a Mediterranean resort town. The film explores the minefield of sexual education and consent for a post-#MeToo generation with precision and ambiguity. The film's giddy mood pivots after a sex scene of astonishing detachment, leaving the main character in a strange, woozy state of isolation. The film immerses viewers in a frenzied, teetering party-island atmosphere with neon-bright visuals and aural saturation.
American high school students are having less sexual intercourse, but that doesn't mean they're having less sex. The language of young love and lust, and the actions behind it, are evolving. For teens today, the conversation about sexuality is moving from a binary situation to a spectrum, and so are the kinds of sex people are having. Several experts say the CDC findings could signal a shift in how teen sexuality is evolving, with gender fluidity becoming more common along with a decrease in stigma about identifying as not heterosexual.
American high school students are having less sexual intercourse, but that doesn't mean they're having less sex. The language of young love and lust, and the actions behind it, are evolving. For teens today, the conversation about sexuality is moving from a binary situation to a spectrum, and so are the kinds of sex people are having. Several experts say the CDC findings could signal a shift in how teen sexuality is evolving, with gender fluidity becoming more common along with a decrease in stigma about identifying as not heterosexual.
Syphilis rates are surging among women in the US, with infection rates rising more than threefold between 2017 and 2021. The rise is particularly concerning for women of childbearing age, as syphilis can have catastrophic effects on pregnancy. Experts suggest that multiple societal failsafes have failed, including declining access to sexual health care, increasing homelessness and substance abuse, and inadequate sex education. The situation is worsened by punitive policies that stigmatize young people's sexuality and reduce women's autonomy and trust in healthcare providers.