By Natasha Crooks, Illustration: from article, Ms., December 16, 2023
As of this fall, GOP leaders and lawmakers in over a dozen states, including Iowa, Arkansas, Indiana, Idaho, New Hampshire and Kentucky, have passed bans on teaching human sexuality or stymied federal grants aimed at addressing sexual behaviors and lowering rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Six states—Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Iowa and South Carolina—have discontinued their agreement with the Center for Disease Control’s Division of Adolescent and School Health to a biennial youth survey. In Florida, materials about sexual and reproductive health, human sexuality and STIs for any grade must be approved by state officials.
While this negatively affects all children, it is particularly harmful for Black girls. Black adolescent girls in the United States experience poor sexual and reproductive health outcomes due to bullying and stereotyping. These health concerns persist throughout their lives—and a lack of sex education is a key factor.
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