sexual education
Puberty and reproduction
Sexual education is instruction about human sexuality, reproduction, and related health topics.
School programs typically cover anatomy, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, and consent.
The scope varies widely—some curricula emphasize abstinence only, while others take a comprehensive approach including relationships and sexual orientation.
Often shortened to sex ed.
Study of organisms
- anatomyStudy of organism structure
- reproductionCopying or procreation
- pubertySexual development stage
- contraceptionPregnancy prevention measures
menstruation · pregnancy · STDs · fertility · abstinence · hormones · intercourse · hygiene
Blocking intimate disease spread
- safe sexPrecautionary intimate practices
- condomsContraceptive barrier device
- birth controlPreventing conception intentionally
- barrier methodsContraception using physical blockage
HIV prevention · HPV vaccine · PrEP · emergency contraception · pregnancy prevention · prophylactics · gynecology · urology
Links between individuals
- emotional connectionAffective bond between people
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
- trustConfidence in another
- boundariesLines marking separation
healthy relationships · dating · partnership · attachment · vulnerability · affection · romantic · platonic
Lines marking separation
- permissionGranted right to act
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- affirmativeExpressing agreement or consent
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
mutual · voluntary · agreement · coercion · pressure · assertiveness · negotiation · refusal
Mark of dishonor
- tabooCultural or social prohibition
- misconceptionsIncorrect assumptions held true
- mythsTraditional untrue narratives
- factsVerifiable pieces of truth
dialogue · openness · misinformation · destigmatization · normalization · conversations · parents · community
Social identity category
- orientationPosition relative to surroundings
- LGBTQ+Sexual and gender minorities
- transgenderGender differs from assignment
- nonbinaryOutside male-female categories
cisgender · queer · intersex · pronouns · expression · self-discovery · genderfluid · spectrum
biology
Study of organisms
- anatomyStudy of organism structure
- reproductionCopying or procreation
- pubertySexual development stage
contraception · menstruation · pregnancy · STDs · fertility · abstinence · hormones · intercourse · hygiene · lesson plans
STI prevention
Blocking intimate disease spread
- safe sexPrecautionary intimate practices
- condomsContraceptive barrier device
- birth controlPreventing conception intentionally
barrier methods · HIV prevention · HPV vaccine · PrEP · emergency contraception · pregnancy prevention · prophylactics · gynecology · urology · andrology
relationships
Links between individuals
- emotional connectionAffective bond between people
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
- trustConfidence in another
boundaries · healthy relationships · dating · partnership · attachment · vulnerability · affection · romantic · platonic · expectations
boundaries
Lines marking separation
- permissionGranted right to act
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- affirmativeExpressing agreement or consent
communication · mutual · voluntary · agreement · coercion · pressure · assertiveness · negotiation · refusal · enthusiastic
stigma
Mark of dishonor
- tabooCultural or social prohibition
- misconceptionsIncorrect assumptions held true
- mythsTraditional untrue narratives
facts · dialogue · openness · misinformation · destigmatization · normalization · conversations · parents · community · outreach
gender
Social identity category
- orientationPosition relative to surroundings
- LGBTQ+Sexual and gender minorities
- transgenderGender differs from assignment
nonbinary · cisgender · queer · intersex · pronouns · expression · self-discovery · genderfluid · spectrum · questioning
- reproductive healthpregnancy, infertility, childbirth, male infertility, fertility rates
- sexual ethicschastity, adultery, consent, faithfulness, abstinence
- sexual freedomfree love, consent, bodily autonomy, sex positivity, reproductive rights
- HIV/AIDSHIV, AIDS, AIDS crisis, AIDS quilt, antiretrovirals
- senior intimacyintimacy, senior dating, emotional intimacy, affection, closeness
- sexual customsmarriage customs, courtship, virginity, chastity, monogamy
sexual educationpurity culture
Ideology emphasizing virginity before marriage
education, sexual, pansexual, sexuality, bisexual, homosexual, asexual, sexually, heterosexual