Using the presumptuous title “National Sexuality Education Standards,” a group of anti-abstinence “experts” have offered a questionable version of what, when, and how, topics regarding sexuality should be taught in American schools. The National Abstinence Education Association (NAEA) challenges these so-called “standards” that ignore the optimal health message for students, and instead place a priority on a simple risk reduction message. “When we set standards, we should communicate the ideal, the best message to achieve optimal health,” stated Valerie Huber, Executive Director of NAEA. “When a set of guidelines fails to provide any meaningful emphasis on optimal health but instead gives priority to ‘condom negotiation’ skills, we have not set standards; we have lowered them and put our children at increased risk” added Huber.

In addition, NAEA disputes the appropriateness of introducing sensitive and often controversial topics into the K-12 classroom, essentially using sex education guidelines as a vehicle for promoting ideological agendas rather than health and well-being. “Standards claiming national influence should maintain an objectivity that is devoid of special-interest agendas,” added Huber.

NAEA advocates for strong, clear Sexual Risk Avoidance programs as the best standard for educating youth regarding sexuality.