Why teach RSE?

Key messages

• Comprehensive RSE has many positive health outcomes for young people.

Positive outcomes

Comprehensive RSE programs have been found to:

• increase young people's confidence and ability to make informed decisions
• encourage respect, acceptance, equality and empathy
• encourage young people to delay sexual debut
• help young people to distinguish between accurate and inaccurate information online
• help prevent sexual abuse
• increase the use of contraceptives for those wanting to avoid unplanned pregnancies
• prevent sexually transmissible infections
• provide opportunities for young people to learn about and discuss relationships and sexual health issues in safe spaces outside of their homes
• be strongly support by most parents.²

Read next

• Who should teach RSE?
• Best practice principles

References

1. International technical guidance on sexuality education: an evidence informed approach (2018)