Federal School Sex Ed Cuts and Abstinence-Only Policies Spark Debate Over Teen Health and Fertility

What should young people learn about sex, relationships, consent, and reproductive health—and what happens when access to that education is limited?

The conversation around school sex ed continues to evolve, particularly as policymakers debate comprehensive sexuality education, abstinence-only approaches, and funding for teen pregnancy prevention programs.

In this KQED Forum conversation, Shafia Zaloom joins health reporter Alice Miranda Ollstein and public health professor Robin Pickering to explore the changing landscape of sex education in the United States. The discussion looks beyond reproduction and pregnancy prevention to consider the broader role of sexuality education in teaching young people about consent, healthy communication, relationships, connection, and making informed decisions.

Shafia also shares her perspective on why comprehensive sexuality education is about much more than the mechanics of sex—it can help young people develop the knowledge and relationship skills they need to navigate adolescence and adulthood with dignity, empathy, and responsibility.

Read or listen to the full conversation on KQED Forum:

👉 Federal Sex Education Cuts and Abstinence-Only Policies Spark Debate Over Teen Health and Fertility