Principles for the Construction of a School-Based Sex Education Program

Abstract

Recent research showed that today an increasing number of adolescents have an active sex life in Hong Kong. However, the emerging needs of adolescents are not met, as today’s standard of sex education is both variable and inconsistent in Hong Kong. Other countries such as the USA, Britain, Germany, France, and the Netherlands have put much effort into introducing or expanding sex education in schools; these experiences will be critically presented and analyzed. Protective and risk factors are defined as factors that can both directly influence behavior and moderate the relationship between risk and behavior. Protective and risk factors will be presented in detail, highlighting those which can be addressed in the context of a school-based program. Finally, in light of the previous literature, a conceptual framework for a prevention program will be proposed.