For years, adults have had plenty of debate over when and what teens should learn about sex. Rarely do they ask teens their opinion about what they need to learn. Some adults say that giving young people information about contraception and safer sex encourages them to have sex or gives them permission to have sex.

But research doesn't back this up. Studies show that comprehensive sexuality education  does not encourage teens to become sexually active. In fact, it's just the opposite. Teens who get "comprehensive sexuality education"—which includes information about abstinence and safer sex, contraception, pregnancy options, relationships, GLBTQ issues, and pleasure—are more likely to wait to have sex than teens who do not receive this type of sex ed.

Also, when sexually active teens take a comprehensive sex ed course, they are more likely to use birth control than sexually active teens who have not.