Sexuality and HIV education: time for a paradigm shift

While we have learned a good deal about effective sexuality and HIV education, we can do much better. Several areas of research suggest that it is time to develop and test a "social studies" approach to sex and HIV education - one that starts earlier and fosters critical thinking skills, gender equality, and human rights. Such an effort may have important lessons for improved sexual and reproductive health outcomes and contribute to other aspects of young people's preparation for active, informed participation in civil society.