Idaho’s sex education policy has been a point of contention for years. With the state facing high teen pregnancy rates and rising sexually transmitted infections (STIs), many experts argue that the state’s emphasis on abstinence-based programs is insufficient. The lack of comprehensive, medically accurate sex education leaves students ill-prepared to make informed decisions about their sexual health.
Dr. Amylia Shayne, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner and co-founder of Bloom Women’s Health, highlighted the connection between Idaho’s sex education policies and the state’s public health challenges.
“Many younger female patients come to us with limited knowledge of basic anatomy, reproductive health, and contraception,” Shayne said. “Common misconceptions include misunderstandings about fertility — such as when pregnancy is most likely to occur — and confusion about STI prevention.”
Idaho’s sex education landscape
In Idaho, local school boards are responsible for sex education and no statewide mandate requires comprehensive curricula. Idaho State Legislature Section 33-1608 delegates the responsibility of sex education to “the home and the church”, and mandates that the decision as to whether there is a sex education curriculum at all is “a matter for determination at the local district level by the local school board”.
According to Mistie DelliCarpini-Tolman, Idaho state director for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, Idaho’s sex education system is backsliding.
“Before the Idaho legislature effectively defunded comprehensive sex education programs, we
offered vital resources to our communities,” DelliCarpini-Tolman said. “These included parent-child sex education classes, training for young people to deliver peer-to-peer education on contraception, STI prevention, consent and fostering healthy relationships.”
DelliCarpini-Tolman explained Planned Parenthood is no longer able to offer these services.
“A few years ago, the Idaho legislature passed the No Public Funds for Abortion Act, a law that
prohibits any organization providing abortion services from delivering or assisting in sexual
education,” she said. “This policy effectively barred Planned Parenthood — recognized experts in reproductive health — from offering essential, evidence-based sexual education to Idaho’s
communities.”
As a result of these legislative decisions, the content of sex education varies across the state. Many schools rely heavily on abstinence-based programs that offer limited information about contraception, consent and STI prevention.
Shayne explained the detrimental impact of this approach, including delays in care and the occurrence of preventable diseases.
“Inadequate sex education correlates directly with higher rates of unplanned pregnancies and untreated STIs,” Shayne said. “Without proper education, patients are less likely to use contraception effectively or understand symptoms of infections. This leads to delayed diagnoses and complications, such as infertility or chronic health issues from untreated STIs.”
Idaho’s heavy reliance on abstinence-based education limits students’ understanding of sexual health.
“Many students are not given the full range of knowledge they need to protect themselves,” Shayne said. “This creates an environment where sexual health topics are taboo, making it difficult for individuals to feel comfortable seeking information or care.”
According to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, teen pregnancies alone cost U.S. taxpayers nearly $10 billion each year in lost revenue and public assistance programs. In Idaho, the costs are compounded by rising rates of STIs, which place a burden on the state’s healthcare system.
In addition to these challenges, Shayne explained young people in need of sex education face additional difficulties due to the political climate within Idaho.
“In Idaho, conservative cultural and political attitudes heavily influence the curriculum, often prioritizing abstinence over comprehensive education,” Shayne said. “This creates an environment where sexual health topics are taboo, making it difficult for individuals to feel comfortable seeking information or care.”
The lack of comprehensive sex education in Idaho, driven by local control and conservative cultural influences, significantly hinders students’ ability to make informed decisions about their sexual health.
The reliance on abstinence-based curricula not only limits access to crucial information but also fosters an environment of shame and silence around sexual health.
As a result, young people face higher risks of unplanned pregnancies, STIs and long-term health complications, highlighting the urgent need for a more inclusive and scientifically grounded approach to sex education in the state.
The consequences of insufficient education
The effects of inadequate sex education are glaring. Without access to comprehensive sex education, students are more likely to experience unintended pregnancies and to remain unaware of how to protect themselves from STIs.
Shayne cited a real-world example of these consequences.
“A patient came to Bloom Women’s Health seeking fertility support after trying to conceive unsuccessfully for six months with her partner,” Shayne said. “She expressed frustration and concern, wondering if there might be underlying health issues preventing her from getting pregnant. Through our initial consultation, we discovered that she lacked a clear understanding of her menstrual cycle and ovulation window — a gap stemming from an abstinence-only education background.”
Cami Hurst, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Surgical Technologist and a Certified Sex Therapist with a PhD in Clinical Sexology, shared a similar story from her own practice.
“I can think of women I’ve worked with who thought sexual pain was normal and were told on
their wedding night from their mom to never tell their husband ‘no’, and they’ve endured
decades of excruciating pain,” Hurst said. “That’s not okay. That becomes trauma. I’ve worked with a lot of individuals who had no idea how their body worked, like a 76-year-old learning to orgasm for the first time.”
Many people, especially women, have minimal knowledge about the natural processes and parts of their body, evidenced by the 10% of women who report never having experienced an orgasm in their life.
Students similarly report feeling the effects of their inadequate education. One Boise State University student, who asked to remain anonymous, shared how their sex education experience left them ill-prepared for adulthood.
“My school in elementary/middle school was a public school, but in a small Republican town,” they said. “I feel like sex was a very taboo and shameful conversation. Even though I postponed sex until later in my adulthood because of the environment I was educated in, it didn’t mean I was having consensual, nor safe sex as a fully grown and aware adult.”
Another Boise State student recounted how many of their peers were unaware of the full range of sexual health topics.
“I feel like a lot of men and sexually active people in general only thought condoms were worn to prevent pregnancy,” they said. “They had no knowledge that condoms are also used to help prevent spreading of STIs. This was also a fact I only really was exposed to after taking microbiology as a Biology major my junior year of college.”
Sex education curriculums also often overlook LGBTQ+ topics, leaving many students without critical information about their identities, relationships, and sexual health. Hurst spoke on this lack of education for an entire demographic of young people.
“Most of the book is still defining everything sexual as a penis and a vagina,” Hurst said. “So for that population, there’s just not enough education that’s normalizing and even allowing people to picture themselves with a partner of their choice. What would sex even look like? And what would pleasure look like? And is my experience legitimate even if it’s not mentioned in a basic textbook?”
Insufficient sex education leaves young people with a gap in their ability to keep themselves safe, healthy and informed, particularly when it comes to navigating consent, relationships and diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.
The push for reform
Despite the challenges, advocates for comprehensive sex education are pushing for reform. Dr. Shayne is among those leading the charge for change.
“We need a comprehensive sex education curriculum addressing menstrual cycles, contraception, STI prevention, consent and healthy relationships. The stigma is noticeably stronger in Idaho. This makes it challenging to encourage patients to prioritize their sexual health,” Shayne said. “Many delay care due to fear of judgment, both from their community and at times their families or even their providers. This stigma also means we spend significant time creating a safe, nonjudgmental space for patients to ask questions and voice concerns.”
In contrast to the system in place in the United States, Hurst referenced the Netherlands as an alternative example of what a successful sex education curriculum could look like.
The Dutch curriculum stands out for its inclusivity and thoroughness, beginning as early as age 4, where children are introduced to basic concepts of respect, relationships and boundaries.
This early foundation creates a positive environment for open, age-appropriate discussions about sexuality, fostering a culture of acceptance and understanding.
The Netherlands’ comprehensive sex education continues throughout a child’s development, addressing topics such as consent, safe sex and gender equality. By integrating these lessons into everyday learning the curriculum prepares students to make informed, responsible decisions as they grow.
“We chose the wrong strategy to get the outcomes we wanted for our youth,” Hurst said. “They’re incorporating pleasure. They’re incorporating different styles of relationships. They’re talking about red flags in a relationship. They’re talking about communication skills in sex.”
Compared to the often fragmented and abstinence-focused approach in the U.S., the Dutch model is seen by many as a more holistic and progressive solution to promoting sexual health and well-being. The Netherland’s teen birth rate is among the lowest in the world.
“We cannot overstate the transformative power of comprehensive, evidence-based sex education in improving individual and community health outcomes,” DelliCarpini-Tolman said.
Current programs, many of which focus on abstinence, leave students without the necessary tools to protect their sexual health. The lack of consistent, factual information leads to higher rates of unplanned pregnancies, untreated STIs and long-term health complications.
Advocates are pushing for a change, arguing that a comprehensive curriculum would provide students with the knowledge to make healthier choices. Addressing topics such as contraception, STI prevention and consent is vital to equipping young people with the skills they need to protect themselves.
In addition to health benefits, comprehensive sex education can help reduce the stigma surrounding sexual health in Idaho. By fostering a nonjudgmental environment, students can feel more comfortable seeking care and asking questions about their bodies and relationships.
Reforming sex education is a practical necessity. By investing in comprehensive programs, the state can improve public health, reduce long-term costs and empower young people to make informed, responsible decisions about their sexual health.
