Q: Is sexual education really necessary for my child?
A: It is important that all youth receive accurate, age-appropriate sexual education. Without it, youth are vulnerable to misinformation from peers and the media, leaving them at risk for sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancy, and unshielded against sexual coercion. Comprehensive sexual education, like the evidence-based programs offered by CHAT, protects youth by providing them with the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to successfully abstain from sex, or – should they eventually choose to engage in sexual behaviors – to do so safely and responsibly.
Q: What is an evidence-based program (EBP)?
A: “Evidence-based education programs are curricula that help teens reduce their risk for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV/AIDS. To be considered “evidence-based,” a curriculum must have gone through extensive evaluation showing that the program produces results. Students who have participated in an EBP are more likely to choose healthy behaviors. For example, after participating in a particular EBP:
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Youth may be more likely to postpone having sex longer than youth who have not participated in the program.
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Youth who were already having sex prior to the program may be more likely to use condoms.
Results depend on which EBP is offered and the way the program is delivered.” Excerpt from Act for Youth.
Q: What is comprehensive sexual education?
A: Comprehensive sexual education (CSE) is holistic sexual education. This means that in addition to providing information about sexual health, CSE also addresses the social and psychological components central to sexual health and responsible decisionmaking. Instruction includes information and skillbuilding in regard to consent, communication, healthy relationships, and setting personal boundaries. The curriculum instills in youth the ability to make informed, responsible choices. The programs emphasize critical thinking, effective communication, and self-efficacy, empowering all youth to become advocates for their health.
Click here for more information about general comprehensive sexual education.
Q: Sexual education might be beneficial in cities or other places, but is it really necessary in a rural area like Chautauqua County?
A: Chautauqua County demonstrates an urgent need for preventative sexual education. Chautauqua County’s teen pregnancy rates -- despite declining in recent years -- are consistently higher than the New York State’s average rate.
Chautauqua County consistently displays higher rates of several sexually transmitted diseases – for example, gonorrhea and chlamydia – compared to the rest of New York State (excluding New York City).
In fact, in a 2018-2020 examination of chlamydia prevalence among youth ages 10 to 19, several local school districts (including Jamestown, Falconer, Southwestern, and Dunkirk) observed chlamydia rates from 120 percent to over 200 percent higher than anticipated.
Adolescents who receive comprehensive sex education are significantly less likely to become pregnant and/or contract STIs than adolescents who receive abstinence-only or no formal sex education.
These statistics indicate an urgent need to provide effective sex education to Chautauqua County youth.
Q: Isn’t my child too young to receive this information?
A: You may have some trepidation about your child receiving sexual health education. This is completely normal.
The term “sexual health education” can sound jarring, particularly when it is directed toward your elementary or middle schooler. Rest assured, sexual health education is not exclusively about sex. Comprehensive sexual health education also encompasses puberty, bodily autonomy, respect, and healthy relationships.
The curriculum neither assesses nor promotes sexual readiness; the goal of sexual health education is, simply, to relay age-appropriate information about sexual health. The material is delivered progressively, introducing younger children to basic information about human development, then gradually embracing more advanced topics, like abstinence and safe sex, as youth mature.
It is particularly important that youth receive this education before age 15...
More than half of teens in the U.S. become sexually active before the age of 18. Over 40 percent of U.S. teens ages 15-19 report having had sex. These statistics underscore the importance of providing effective, comprehensive sexual education prior to high school, when the majority of teens become sexually active.
**Please note that CHAT offers programs tailored to an intended age group. For instance, ‘Be Proud! Be Responsible!’ is delivered to high school students, whereas ‘Making Proud Choices!’ is administered to middle schoolers. This ensures that the content and its implementation is age-appropriate.
Should you have any reservations or questions concerning a curriculum, we encourage you to contact us.
Q: Shouldn’t parents be teaching about sex at home?
A: “When it comes to sex and relationships, parents and guardians are the primary teachers of their children. Parents are sometimes surprised to learn that, according to national surveys, teens say parents influence their decisions about sex more than peers, media, and teachers. Research has also shown that when parents talk to their children about postponing sex, their children are more likely to delay sex than are children who do not hear these messages from parents.
It’s also true that many parents support sex education, seeing that sex education, seeing that sex education supports what they are doing at home. EBPs use teaching strategies such as games, videos, and role plays to help youth remember what they learn and begin to build skills. These are effective methods that change attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, supporting parents’ efforts to help their teens lead healthy lives.” Excerpt from Act for Youth
Q: Does CHAT only offer sexual education programs?
A: CHAT provides more than comprehensive sexual health education. Project AIM, for example, is categorized as a youth development program. This program encourages middle schoolers to reflect on their career aspirations and future goals. While the curriculum does include some discussion regarding how STD contraction or an unplanned pregnancy may be barriers to achieving their dreams, Project AIM is not sex education.
Elementary school programs, like ‘Rights, Respect, and Responsibility’ and ‘Child Safety Matters,’ are unrelated to sexual health, instead featuring age-appropriate topics like bullying and internet safety.
Q: Won’t sex education programs – like ‘Making Proud Choices! and ‘Be Proud! Be Responsible!’ – encourage my child to start having sex?
A: Actually, the evidence-based programs (EBPs) offered by CHAT have been shown to delay sexual initiation. In clinical trials, these programs have also been evidenced to reduce the risk of teen pregnancy and contraction of STDs. While the curriculum includes information and instruction regarding contraceptives and birth control, it also promotes abstinence as the only 100% effective way to avoid unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
Compared to comprehensive sexual education (like the EBPs offered by CHAT), abstinence-only sexual education programs are linked to higher rates of teen pregnancy, an increased risk of STIs, and a relatively higher incidence of sexual violence. To learn more about these statistics, please visit:
Q: Isn’t this information already covered in Project KNOW?
A: Many schools contract with Erie-2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES to implement Project KNOW, a basic introduction to sexual education. While Project KNOW provides students with important information about puberty, growth, and reproduction, it is presented mainly to students in 5th and 6th grades. Alternatively, CHAT programs are available to all ages of youth. Furthermore, CHAT programs provide an extensive overview of the dangers of unprotected sex, encourage youth to recognize their personal risk, and afford them the opportunity to practice effective communication.
Project KNOW is implemented at the cost to the school district, which can be another barrier to providing this information to youth. However, CHAT programming is FREE!
Q: How can I get in touch with CHAT?
A: Click here!
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