Podcast Summary: The Pediatrician Next Door – Ep. 141: Does Sex Education Belong in School?
Host: Dr. Wendy Hunter | Guest: Dr. Eva Goldfarb, Professor of Public Health, Montclair State University
Date: November 12, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, pediatrician Dr. Wendy Hunter tackles the perennial debate: Should sex education be taught in schools? With public health expert Dr. Eva Goldfarb, the conversation delves into what sex education actually does, the myths and misconceptions parents and communities hold, what happens to kids when sex ed is skipped or limited, and what real, inclusive sex education should look like—plus actionable advice for parents wanting to fill the gaps.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why This Topic Matters

• Dr. Hunter opens with a story illustrating the confusion among adolescents about basic sexual health, highlighting the gap between what kids know and what they need to know.
• Many parents are unsure when, how, or even if to address the topic, often passing the responsibility to schools or avoiding it entirely.

"Is this what they're teaching in health class? I thought we were teaching abstinence now." – Dr. Wendy Hunter [01:20]

2. What Comprehensive Sex Education Achieves ([04:46])

• Dr. Goldfarb explains the documented positive impacts of comprehensive sex ed:
  • Reduces child sex abuse and intimate partner violence.
  • Diminishes harassment, bullying (including homophobic bullying), and sexual harassment.
  • Improves communication skills, self-agency, empathy, and media literacy.
  • Directly supports school engagement, particularly for LGBTQ and marginalized youth.
• Emphasis on starting education as early as kindergarten, presenting age-appropriate content that builds over time.

Quote:
"Sex education that is started early... reduces child sex abuse. Reduces intimate partner violence... develops important life skills... improves things like compassion, empathy, agency, the sense that I have control over my own body..."
– Dr. Eva Goldfarb [04:46]

3. Public Perception vs. Reality ([07:37])

• Dr. Goldfarb addresses the myth of controversy: While there is vocal opposition, research consistently finds overwhelming, bipartisan public support for comprehensive sex ed in middle and high schools.

Quote:
"There are decades of studies... that show the overwhelming majority of adults and voters... support comprehensive sex education... across the political spectrum, equally strong among Republicans and Democrats."
– Dr. Eva Goldfarb [07:37]

4. What DOES Comprehensive Sex Ed Teach? ([09:37])

• Not about "condoms in kindergarten," but teaching body autonomy, respect for boundaries, and foundational concepts that evolve logically as children mature.
• Sets the groundwork for understanding consent and healthy relationships.

Quote:
"The kinds of things that are taught in early years... are things like body integrity. Every child gets to decide what they do with their own body and who gets to hug them... That sets the stage for later conversations about sexual consent."
– Dr. Eva Goldfarb [09:37]

5. What Happens When Sex Ed Is Skipped or Watered Down? ([14:29])

• Abstinence-only programs do NOT delay sexual activity or reduce risk; instead, they:
  • Increase misinformation.
  • Are linked to higher rates of teen pregnancy and STIs.
• Comprehensive education correlates with teens being half as likely to become pregnant and more likely to use protection.

Quote:
"There are decades of research that show that abstinence only programs don't stop kids from having sex... What they do is create bigger gaps in knowledge... And the statistics back this up."
– Dr. Wendy Hunter [15:07]

6. Why Sex Ed Is Inconsistent Across the U.S. ([17:27])

• There’s no federal mandate; what’s taught varies by state, district, sometimes even by school or individual teacher.
• Local opposition can easily override scientific guidance, often making sex ed a “patchwork” across communities.

Quote:
"It's really a patchwork of policies and programs. As a result, it can be highly influenced by a few very loud voices at the local level."
– Dr. Eva Goldfarb [17:27]

7. Parental Role and Resources ([18:38])

• Dr. Hunter urges parents to proactively ask schools about what’s actually being taught.
• Recommendations for resources:
  • National Sex Education Standards
  • Advocates for Youth
  • Planned Parenthood guides
• Emphasizes: Effective conversations happen little by little, starting with young children and building over time.

8. The Importance of Inclusion ([21:34])

• Curricula omitting LGBTQ, non-heteronormative, or diverse family experiences cause real harm, including feelings of exclusion, increased anxiety, depression, and even school avoidance.
• Representation in sex education fosters safety and belonging, which supports better learning and overall health.

Quote:
"A curriculum should be a balance of mirrors and windows, and everyone should be able to see themselves reflected in a curriculum... we're also not only keeping young people from having life saving information, but we're stigmatizing and harming young people who are already marginalized."
– Dr. Eva Goldfarb [21:34]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the 'quiet majority' of parents:
  "Most parents want sex ed? Apparently they say they do when they're asked anonymously... Just don't tell the other football moms." – Dr. Wendy Hunter [08:46]

• On foundation building:
  "It's not just about the birds and the bees. Dr. Goldfarb listed a whole flock of life skills..." – Dr. Wendy Hunter [06:25]

• On abstinence-only education:
  "Telling teens don't do it is kind of like saying, don't go near that swimming pool. Sure, it works until summer comes around. And if you're never taught how to swim... these kids are at risk of drowning the first time they jump in." – Dr. Wendy Hunter [15:07]

• On the impact of exclusion:
  "It sends the message that you don't belong here. And I know we can all relate to that feeling." – Dr. Wendy Hunter [22:23]

Important Timestamps

• [01:20] – The confused 13-year-old; parents’ awkward attempts at 'the talk.'
• [04:46] – Dr. Goldfarb details broad benefits of comprehensive sex education.
• [07:37] – Discussing public support for sex education across political lines.
• [09:37] – What sequential, age-appropriate sex education really looks like.
• [14:29] – Consequences of abstinence-only education.
• [17:27] – State-by-state and even school-by-school policy patchwork.
• [21:34] – The harm of non-inclusive sex education, and the “mirrors and windows” metaphor.

Actionable Advice for Parents

• Know What’s Being Taught:
  Ask your child’s school specifically what and when sex education is being provided.
• Supplement at Home:
  Use trusted resources like the National Sex Education Standards, Advocates for Youth, and Planned Parenthood.
• Start Early, Build Gradually:
  Conversations should start with young children (e.g., teaching body autonomy) and be revisited and expanded over time.
• Make It Inclusive:
  Ensure the information your child receives addresses all types of families and identities, so every child feels represented.
• Lay Foundations:
  Even simple acts, like respecting a child's wish not to hug, teach lifelong lessons about consent.

Final Takeaway

Sex education in schools is more than just preventing pregnancy or STIs—it's about equipping young people with the information, life skills, and confidence to build healthy lives and relationships. When comprehensive and inclusive, it keeps children safer and helps them thrive; when absent or incomplete, it leaves kids vulnerable to misinformation and feeling excluded. Whether or not schools step up, parents should be ready to start these conversations early and often—for every child's health and well-being.

Recommended Episodes for More:

• Ep. 113: The Private Parts Episode
• Ep. 46: Featuring Loxy Gantt on talking to kids about sex and privacy

For questions or to share stories, contact Dr. Wendy Hunter at the Pediatrician Next Door Podcast.