Examines reasons for failure of formal sex education programs to promote responsible sexual behavior among teenagers and reviews literature on the influence of informal sources of sexual socialization, especially television. Concludes that educators and parents must consider the importance of informal sources of sexual learning in order to promote…

Examined the impact of sex education on sexual behavior (N=204). Results showed that students in the sexuality classes were more sexually active than controls both at the onset and the end of the course. The possibility of a systematic bias among students who elected the sexuality course was examined. (BH)

Study reports on the psychometric properties of a brief instrument, the Sexual Communication Scale, used to measure the frequency of communication about sexual matters between parents and adolescents. Instrument addresses sexual topics ranging from dating to sexual intercourse to homosexuality to HIV/AIDS. Analyses showed that the SCS demonstrated…

Surveyed 98 schools in Louisiana, where sex education and human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) education are optional, to determine effects of sex education on HIV/AIDS instruction. Schools with sex education covered more content. Schools with predominantly minority enrollments were less likely to devote time…

Analyzed data from three national surveys of teenage sexual behavior. Defines sexually active teenager by frequency of sexual intercourse rather than one who has had intercourse. Found adolescents to be substantially less sexually active than has been previously reported. Uses finding to examine various policy decisions in areas of sex education,…

Examined age, source, accuracy, and impact of initial sexuality information on lifetime wellness in males and females ranging from 9 to 73 years. While age for obtaining sexual knowledge was similar, parents were never reported as primary information sources. Young participants citing teachers and siblings as primary information sources achieved…

Data are presented from 335 young males who are participants in Wise Guys, a sexual responsibility program of the Family Life Council of Greater Greensboro. Comparisons were made with 145 similar males who did not participate in the program. Positive changes in knowledge and behavior were observed among the program participants but not the…

Describes a coeducational sex education program for 15 adolescents in a juvenile detention facility. Subjects completed Hudson's Index of Self-Esteem and a knowledge/attitude test. Results indicated improved knowledge and attitudes about sexuality, contraception and venereal disease, as well as improved self-esteem. (JAC)

Interviewed junior high school students regarding sexual activity. Females were less likely to have "ever had sex." More males anticipated partner pressure for sex and believed they might have sex before marriage. Among nonvirgins there was little gender difference in frequency or recency. Asserts that understanding adolescent sexual…

Reviews evidence relating to the paucity of sex-oriented knowledge by adolescents across cultures. Such sex learning is obtained almost entirely from peers since cultural inhibitions and puritan attitudes often prevent open discussions with teachers and parents. A comprehensive program of sex education and sex counseling is needed. (JAC)

Investigated Israeli Arab teachers' attitudes toward inclusion of family life education program in schools, possible subject areas for instruction, and parent involvement. Results indicated high degree of support for family life education and narrow range of subject areas considered appropriate for Arab classes. Parent involvement was considered…

Reports findings from a therapeutic intervention consisting of homogeneous group therapy and sexual education with same-sex therapist/clients. Female incest victims in the experimental group (N=15) showed a significant increase in positive self-esteem and developed a significantly increased knowledge of human sexuality, birth control, and venereal…

Questionnaire responses from parents (N=146) of sixth graders indicated strong support for the inclusion of a broad range of sex education topics including more sensitive topics, regardless of parental age, sex, marital status, income, education, or child's sex. Results suggest that these parents found a broad sex education program in the school…

Examined kinds of sexual communication between 48 sets of parents and their adolescent daughters. Results are described in three levels: (1) direct informational communication between mother and daughter; (2) mutual discussions containing behavior guidelines; and (3) general family discussion of sociosexual issues. (JAC)