Contraception Methods in Texas

Contraception Methods
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Contraception Methods: Texas
Sex education is not mandatory in Texas. Schools are not under statutory obligation to teach sex education in the state. While school districts should deliver Health Education under Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) at elementary and middle school levels, Health Education is an elective at the high school level (SIECUS, 2021). Restrictions exist on the type of sex education that schools can teach in Texas. For instance, where a school teaches sex education, it must indicate that abstinence is critical. Additionally, where a school uses a curriculum developed by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), it must indicate that homosexuality is not acceptable as a lifestyle to the general public. Learners should know that the Texas Penal Code criminalizes homosexuality. However, it is important to note that in 2003, the Supreme Court in Lawrence V. Texas declared state laws criminalizing homosexuality unconstitutional.
Texas has recently passed laws to allow instruction on contraceptives. While the laws are under implementation, they are inadequate to address the birth control needs of learners. Students need to learn more about contraceptives, particularly those who do not believe in abstinence and are sexually active. Through education on contraceptives, such learners can prevent pregnancy. Sex instruction in Texas now covers birth control, although on a limited scale since the state advocates for abstinence (SIECUS, 2021). Further, Texas provides an opt-out policy that allows parents/guardians to get their children from any part of sex education instruction where it conflicts with their belief system. For instance, where a parent does not believe that learners should know more about contraceptives, such a parent can “opt-out” their child from such instruction. Despite contraceptives being ...