Fairview school district has decided to teach abstinence-only sex education to prevent teen sexual behavior. They believe that this will reduce unwanted pregnancies, STIs, and sexual behavior in general. This decision was made in response to several news reports of teen sexual behavior being out of control. The school district is most likely responding to ______.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The school district is most likely responding to a moral panic, which is an exaggerated response to a perceived social problem. News reports of teen sexual behavior being out of control can contribute to a moral panic around the issue. Abstinence-only sex education is a common response to moral panics around teen sexuality. There is little research to support the effectiveness of abstinence-only education in reducing unwanted pregnancies or STIs. Sodomy laws and psychological coercion are not relevant to the scenario.

Fairview School District Has Decided to Teach Abstinence-Only Sex Education