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Amer. Federation for Sex Education Founded
Purpose to improve community conditions, emphasize the need for sexuality education, help reduce venereal diseases, and decrease commercialized prostitution.
Would later evolve to the name of American Social Health Association (ASHA). (Bruess & Greenberg, 2009) -
American Social Hygiene Association Founded
During World War I and the Progressive era, this group was formed to educate young people about sex and help combat the onset of venereal diseases.
(Luker,, Kristen. "When Sex Goes to School") -
CWLA & provision for sexuality instruction
White House Conference on Child Welfare stated, "the problem of (sex) instruction becomes more properly a task of the school" (Bruess & Greenberg) -
Publications relating to Sexuality Education
U.S. Government Printing Office issued two publications relating to Sexuality Education:- "A High School Course in Physiology in Which the Facts of Sex are Taught"
- "The Problem of Sex Education in Schools" (Bruess & Greenberg, 2009)
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Surveys release info on lack of sexual instruction in schools
Two surveys conducted in early 1920's with 224 of the largest school systems in the US revealed lack of provisions and instruction relating to sexuality education.
The first study found that less than 26% made provision for social hygiene and sexuality instruction.
The second survey regarding courses of study revealed that only 3 out of the 48 states had "sex hygiene" suggested within their curriculums. (Bruess & Greenberg 2009) -
CWLA statement re: increasing sexuality education
As a result of the 1930 White House conference on Child Welfare, a statement was made that schools should include instruction in, "social hygiene, including sex; and in the preparation for potential parenthood".
(Bruess & Greenberg, 2009) -
U.S. Public Health Service & Sex Ed
A pamphlet was produced by the U.S. Public Health Service, called "High Schools and Sex Education".
This pamphlet included materials, planning methods, outlines for teaching, organization, and integration methods for putting sex education into the high schools.
(Bruess & Greenberg, 2009) -
Sex Education Series Published
The Joint Committee on Health Problems in Education of the National Education Association and the American Medical Association published a series of five pamphlets for all levels of schooling that were meant to help adults in understanding sexuality education. -
ASHA launches Family-Life Education
ASHA (previously known as the American Federation for Sex Education), launched this nationwide program.
(Bruess & Greenberg, 2009) -
SIECUS Founded
The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, was founded in 1964 by Dr. Mary S. Calderone.
The purpose of this group was to "provide education and information about sexuality and sexual and reproductive health". (siecus.org) -
Extremist groups oppose sexuality education
Extremist groups, such as the Christian Crusade (led by Reverend Billy James Hargis) start campaigns and outbreaks against sexuality education programs and associated organizations. Many extremist groups and citizen groups thought sexuality educations was demoralizing the youth and felt it was all part of a Communist conspiracy. (Bruess & Greenberg, 2009) -
Sex Ed & Family Planning Merge
It was around this time that the two concepts became interdependent when it was realized that 'personality, education and behavior relate to both.'
(Bruess & Greenberg, 2009) -
AIDS epidemic & Surgeon General spark change
An outbreak of AIDS in the early 80's and a staggering 12,000 cases of AIDS reported in 1985 caused huge concerns for the nation. The U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop was ordered by President Reagan to address the issue. In his report, Koop 'emphasized that since education was the best and only strategy of prevention against AIDS, and since AIDS was spread primarily through sex, school children from grade three onward should receive sex education.' -
Funding increases for abstinence only programs
During this time, abstinence only until marriage sexuality education programs were promoted and were funded (approx. 1 billion dollars) and supported by federal policy.
(Bruess & Greenberg, 2009) -
Only 19 states required sexuality education
As of 2007, only 19 states and the District of Columbia required the schools to provide sexuality education.
Many of the states dictate how abstinence and contraception are taught and many of the states require abstinence be the main emphasis of the curriculum.
(Bruess & Greenberg 2009) -
States take legal action on Sexuality Ed
Legislation in some states (Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota) began to require schools to include discussion on abstinence, but also include comprehensive sexuality education that was scientifically accurate.
In Washington, they passed a bill that prohibited abstinence only sexual education in the public schools.
(Bruess & Greenberg, 2009) -
Obama removes funding for abstinence only programs
The following year's (2010) budget will not include federal funding for abstinence-only sex-education programs. Instead it will include funding for evaluated programs that are effective in delaying sexual activity, increasing contraceptive use (without increasing sexual activity), and reducing teen pregnancy. (National Coalition Against Censorship) -
Obama & 114 million towards Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative
In December 2010, the President signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010, which included $114.5 million for the President’s Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative.
The initiative will be administered by the Office of Adolescent Health within the Department of Health and Human Services. (SIECUS.ORG) -
PREP (Personal Responsibility Education Program)
Under the health care reform and President Obama, a new program called [PREP](www.siecus.org/prep) Is created.
PREP is the first state-grant program from the federal government that funds comprehensive sex education. -
National Sexuality Education Standards provide guidance
The Standards were developed to address inconsistencies within the implementation of sexuality education. The Standards provide guidance on the 'essential minimum, core content for sexuality education that is developmentally and age-appropriate for students in grades K–12'. (www.futureofsexed.org)
