Avoidance or Reduction: Best Sexual Risk Practice

March 5, 2024 | Libby Olson

Have you ever wondered what Live Free Inc. actually teaches? How is what we teach different from other “sex education” classes? There are two different approaches to sex education: Sexual Risk Reduction (SRR) and Sexual Risk Avoidance (SRA). Many might consider these approaches to be the same; however, there are some differences between the two. The biggest difference is the foundational distinction of reducing sexual risks verses eliminating the risks. Sexual Risk Reduction focuses on reducing the risks of “sexual consequences” such as pregnancy and STDs by use of contraceptives. SRR promotes contraceptive use and consent in support of teen sex. According to Ascend (2023), less than 5% of SRR curriculum content spends time on risk avoidance, while having 6x more content on promoting contraceptive use.

In summary, SRR encourages the idea of “having sex when you’re ready,” thus reducing but not eliminating the risks associated with teen sex (Ascend, 2023).The alternative approach is Sexual Risk Avoidance. SRA focuses on eliminating all risks in order to maintain optimal health. SRA argues that teens are capable of refraining from sexual activity and that, according to the CDC, most in fact do refrain from having sex (CDC, 2023). The SRA message is that the only 100% effective way to avoid all of the risks is to delay sex. Our SRA curriculum promotes sexual risk avoidance in over 50% of our page content.

In summary, SRA gives teens all the information regarding sexual behavior and risks so that they might choose abstinence. When abstinence is practiced, the risks pregnancy, STDs and emotional consequences are not only reduced but they are completely eliminated (Ascend, 2023).Live Free Inc. uses the SRA model in hopes to eliminate the risks associated with teen sex, not just reduce the risks. Using the SRA model helps students live free from the many consequences that might arise from sexual activity. “Not only does Live Free Inc. teach the benefits of abstinence for risk avoidance, but [we] also [teach] the benefits of marriage as a worthwhile and attainable goal for sexual activity (“Why teach Abstinence”).”

References

CDC. Youth Risk Behavior Survey: Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011-2021. Atlanta:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2023.

Comparing types of sex education. Ascend. (2023, May 16).

https://weascend.org/resource/comparing-types-of-sex-education/

Why teach abstinence? Live Free Inc. (n.d.). https://www.livefreesc.org/why-teach-abstinence