Abstinence-Only Education: Federal Funding and State Rules
In short
Yes. Section 510 of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 710, funds "sexual risk avoidance education" at $75 million a year from fiscal 2018 through 2026. Programs must present avoiding nonmarital sexual activity as the optimal health behavior. At state level, 43 states and DC require sex or HIV education to cover or stress abstinence, per Guttmacher's 2025 data.
What the full article will cover
- What is abstinence-only education?
- What does federal law require of funded programs?
- How much money goes to sexual risk avoidance?
- How do state sex-ed laws treat abstinence?
- What does research say about effectiveness?
Frequently asked questions
- Is abstinence-only education still funded?
- What is the difference between abstinence-only and comprehensive sex ed?
- Which states require teaching contraception?
Sources
- law.cornell.edu — https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/710
- ssa.gov — https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/title05/0510.htm
- guttmacher.org — https://www.guttmacher.org/state-policy/explore/sex-and-hiv-education
General information, not legal or religious advice.