Project Title
Does abstinence-stressed sex education affect the female labor force participation rate?
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Dr. Brooke Conaway
Abstract
Does abstinence-stressed sex education affect the female labor force participation rate? Previous research indicates sex education is important for developing healthy sexual behaviors and preventing unplanned pregnancies and STIs; however, the United States does not have consistent requirements for sex education. In 2017, 21 states did not require sex education to be medically accurate, age-appropriate, or evidence-based. In 2018, 32 states required abstinence to be stressed when sex education is provided. Utilizing data from the United States Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, now known as SIECUS, Sex Ed State Law and Policy Charts, I estimate the effects of abstinence-stressed sex education on the female labor force participation rate via regression analysis with a robust set of controls and state-level fixed effects. Previous work has found a statistically significant association between sex education and female labor force participation. Preliminary results indicate abstinence-stressed sex education has no statistically significant effect on the female labor force participation rate.Keywords: Abstinence-Stressed Sex Education, Sex Education, Female Labor Force Participation Rate, Labor Force Participation Rate.
Does abstinence-stressed sex education affect the female labor force participation rate?
Does abstinence-stressed sex education affect the female labor force participation rate? Previous research indicates sex education is important for developing healthy sexual behaviors and preventing unplanned pregnancies and STIs; however, the United States does not have consistent requirements for sex education. In 2017, 21 states did not require sex education to be medically accurate, age-appropriate, or evidence-based. In 2018, 32 states required abstinence to be stressed when sex education is provided. Utilizing data from the United States Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, now known as SIECUS, Sex Ed State Law and Policy Charts, I estimate the effects of abstinence-stressed sex education on the female labor force participation rate via regression analysis with a robust set of controls and state-level fixed effects. Previous work has found a statistically significant association between sex education and female labor force participation. Preliminary results indicate abstinence-stressed sex education has no statistically significant effect on the female labor force participation rate.Keywords: Abstinence-Stressed Sex Education, Sex Education, Female Labor Force Participation Rate, Labor Force Participation Rate.