title: New evidence: data documenting parental support for earlier sexuality education.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Numerous studies document support for sexuality education to be taught in high school, and often, in middle school. However, little research has been conducted addressing support for sexuality education in elementary schools.
  
  
  METHODS
  As part of the state Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Survey administration, the Florida Department of Health conducted the Florida Child Health Survey (FCHS) by calling back parents who had children in their home and who agreed to participate (N = 1715).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most parents supported the following sexuality education topics being taught specifically in elementary school: communication skills (89%), human anatomy/reproductive information (65%), abstinence (61%), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (53%), and gender/sexual orientation issues (52%). Support was even greater in middle school (62-91%) and high school (72-91%) for these topics and for birth control and condom education. Most parents supported comprehensive sexuality education (40.4%), followed by abstinence-plus (36.4%) and abstinence-only (23.2%). Chi-square results showed significant differences in the type of sexuality education supported by almost all parent demographic variables analyzed including sex, race, marital status, and education.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results add substantial support for age-appropriate school-based sexuality education starting at the elementary school level, the new National Sexuality Education Standards, and funding to support evidence-based abstinence-plus or comprehensive sexuality education.
authors: Associate Professor, (ebarr@unf.edu), Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224.
authors: Elissa M
authors: EM
authors: Barr
authors: Michele J
authors: MJ
authors: Moore
authors: Tammie
authors: T
authors: Johnson
authors: Jamie
authors: J
authors: Forrest
authors: Melissa
authors: M
authors: Jordan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents; D011639:Public Opinion; D012574:Schools / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012736:Sex Education / Q000379:methods*
keywords: abstinence-based sexuality education; abstinence-only sexuality education; adolescents; comprehensive sexuality education; public support; sexuality education