The Effectiveness of Sexual Education Policy

By: Johnna Purcell

Hypothesis Test and Correlation

In order to identify the actual relationship between Sex Ed, Birthrate

and STD rates I ran a two multiple regressions:

Hypothesis Test:
In a two sample T-Test on Sex Ed and Birthrate, I found a P-vale of .
03, therefore I may reject the null hypothesis and conclude that there
is a relationship between sexual education and the birthrate.
In a two sample T-Test on Sexual Education and STD, I found a Pvalue of .61, therefore I am unable to reject the null hypothesis.
Correlation:
Sexual Education Policy and Teenage Birth Rates are correlated at -.38.
Sexual Education Policy and Teenage STD Rates are correlated at -.23.

Theory

States the have policy mandating comprehensive sexual education will

have lower rates of teen pregnancy and STD contraction.

Dependent Variables:
Teenage Birthrate
This measure is the number of teen births per 1000 births .
Source: CDC

State Party Control

Classifies the party composition of the state legislature and the governor.
Education
The percentage of the population who obtained a bachelors degree or
higher.
Source: US Census Data
Age
The percentage of the population between 15 and 19 years old
Source: US Census Data

Abortion

-0.77
(0.83)

Religion

0.261*
(0.13)

Religion

0.29*
(0.10)

Party

-1.01
(0.91)

Party

-0.69
(0.69)

Education

-1.20*
(0.20)

Education

-0.23
(0.15)

Age

-1.08
(2.47)

Age

1.09
(1.88)

Constant

50.93*
(20.22)

Constant

The figures above show the relationship between Sex Ed Policy and the key dependent variables of Teen Birthrate and Teen STD Contraction rates.
Both of the plots show that as Sex Ed Policy becomes more comprehensive (closer to the 8 value) generally the birth rate and STD contraction rates
become lower.

20
19

30.5

STD Contraction Rate

18

30.0

16
15

Standard Deviation
9.28
6.68
2.25
.85
7.42
1.03
5.91
.31

29.0

Tendency
Central
Mean: 29.72
Mean: 18.92
Median: 3
Median: 3
Mean: 71.16
Mode: 3
Mean: 29.08
Mean: 7.06

This regression table shows the results of a regression run using the
key independent variables of Sex Ed and dependent variables STD
while controlling for all other confounding variables. What the
regression table tells us is that there is a statistically significant effect
of Sex Ed on STD and that better Sex Ed is associated with lower
STD rates.
Relationship Between Sexual Education Policy
and Teen STD Contraction by State

28.5

Type
Interval
Interval
Ordinal
Ordinal
Interval
Categorical
Interval
Interval

----------------------------------------------Observations
49
R2
0.470
Adjusted R2
0.394
Residual Std. Error
3.959 (df = 42)
F Statistic
6.211*** (df = 6; 42)
===========================
Note:
*p<0.05;

Relationship Between Sexual Education Policy

and Teen Birthrate by State

Data about Variables

Variable
Birthrate
STD
Sex Ed
Abortion
Religion
Party
Education
Age

2.92
(15.31)

14

Religiosity
The percentage of adults in a state that identify as Christian.
Source: PEW

2.29*
(1.10)

28.0

Abortion Policy
Higher values indicate greater barriers to obtaining an abortion.

Abortion

This regression table shows the results of a regression run

using the key independent variable of Sex Ed and the
dependent variable Birthrate while controlling for all other
confounding variables. What the table tells us is that Sex Ed
Policy does not significantly effect the teenage birthrate in
a State but that better Sex. Ed is correlated with lower
birthrates.

Birthrate

Independent Variables:
Sexual Education Policy
Higher values signal more comprehensive policy

Dependent variable:
--------------------------STD
----------------------------------------------Sex.Ed
-0.74*
(0.31)

----------------------------------------------Observations
49
R2
0.728
Adjusted R2
0.689
Residual Std. Error
5.226 (df = 42)
F Statistic
18.736*** (df = 6; 42)
==========================
Note:
*p<0.05

Variables

Teenage STD Contraction

This measure is the reported cases of in teens per 1000 reported cases.
Source: US Department of Health

Dependent variable:
--------------------------Birthrate
----------------------------------------------Sex.Ed
-0.32
(0.40)

29.5

The way that Sexual Education should be taught has been a topic of
debate for nearly four decades. There are two methods of sexual
education:
Abstinence only education programs, teach abstinence as theonly
morally correct optionof sexual expression.1
Comprehensive sexual education, teach about abstinence but also
teaches about condoms and contraception2
The Journal for Adolescent Health has reported that Comprehensive
sexual education is more effective than abstinence education at
decreasing teen pregnancy.3 Therefore, many states have been prompted
to adopt policies mandating comprehensive sexual education.

Regression

17

Introduction

4
Sexual Education Policy

Sexual Education Policy

These figures show the regression lines for each of the regressions that I ran. Both lines indicate that as sex ed. policy gets better in a state that the
birthrate and STD rate both decrease.

Discussion:

Conclusions:
It seems that there is a correlation between the quality of sexual education mandated in a state and the teen birth rates and STD contraction
rates.
With regards to the birth rate, the regression indicates that it is not the Sex Ed policy in itself that makes the birth rate lower rather, the other
independent variables that may explain the better quality of Sex Ed policy explain the relationship more effectively.
With regard to STD rates, there is better evidence that Sex Ed policy has a direct effect on decreasing STD rates.
Weaknesses:
I only had data from each state for one year, this relationship would better suited to be measured over time
Strengths:
The coding created to use for variables in each state accurately reflects policy quantitatively..