Students Get Sex Ed Newsletter

By Sex, Etc. Staff Writers

Originally Published: Aug 10, 1999

Revised: Dec 4, 2006

It was as simple as asking.

Mayara Mercado, 18, was a senior at Kearney High School, in New Jersey, when she stumbled across our national newsletter (now a magazine), Sex, Etc., which is written by teens, for teens, on sexual health.

 
She knew the straight-forward newsletter would be a great addition to her health class. It gave information about everything from relationships and dating to postponing sex and using contraception.

"Sex, Etc. has information that kids need," says Mayara. "So, I went to my principal and just told him about it."

Frank DiGersere, Mayara's principal, said he was interested in getting a subscription for the school but needed more information.

So, Mayara called us at Answer at Rutgers University, since we publish Sex, Etc. and Sexetc.org, and asked for more information about the newsletter.

We sent her a packet that included research on teachers' reactions to Sex, Etc., which showed, among other things, that teachers believe the newsletter has the potential to change teens' knowledge, attitudes, and behavior about sex and related issues. Mr. DiGersere was sold.

"He read it and agreed to use it," says Mayara. "Now, it's in all health classes during sophomore year."

Editors' Note: If you would like your school to subscribe to the Sex, Etc. magazine, just write to us at sexetc@rci.rutgers.edu. We can send you a packet of information for you, your sex ed teacher and/or principal.