There are currently two inhabited U.S. territories in the Caribbean Sea: Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. People living in U.S. territories have a unique relationship to the U.S. government. Residents in U.S. territories are either considered “U.S. nationals” or citizens, but cannot vote for the President of the United States, and they do not have full representation in the U.S. Congress. Territorial infrastructure is generally inferior to that of the continental U.S. and Hawaii, and poverty rates are higher in the territories than in the states.
THE STATE OF SEX ED IN THE CARIBBEAN SEA
U.S. Virgin Islands (U.S. Territory)
Sex education is required in the U.S. Virgin Islands. According to U.S. Virgin Islands Code, Title XVII Ch.5, § 41, this includes “AIDS prevention education” as a component of the health curriculum that must be taught to students in grades K–12.
PUERTO RICO’S STATE OF SEX ED
Current Requirements At A Glance – Schools in Puerto Rico are required to teach sex education.
- Curriculum is not required to be comprehensive.
- Curriculum is not required to include instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Curriculum is not required to include instruction on consent.
- Puerto Rico does not require parental permission for students to participate in sex education, and statute does not entail whether or not parents and guardians can remove their children from sex education courses.
- Puerto Rico has no regulation regarding medically accurate sex education.
RECENT LEGISLATION SHAPING THE STATE LANDSCAPE
Sex education is required to be taught in Puerto Rican schools. However, Puerto Rico’s economic crisis has drastically reduced access to sexual and reproductive health care services and education for Puerto Rico residents. In 2015, the Puerto Rico Department of Education took restrictive action to limit access to sex education instruction by revoking the policy that would have included instruction on gender inequality, interpersonal violence, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
While schools in Puerto Rico are required to teach sex education, curriculum is largely determined by each school district. Such discretion in sex education curriculum allows for the implementation of policies and curriculum that stigmatize marginalized youth, such as LGBTQ youth, and presents further challenges in ensuring that low income districts have access to resources to implement sex education. Educators report teaching primarily abstinence-based lessons from textbooks that are outdated and in poor condition. They note an urgent need for updated curriculum and course materials. Outdated curriculum is one of many barriers to advancing sex education in Puerto Rico. Advocates report that the Department of Education’s removal of the gender perspectives curriculum policy, conservative community and legislative perspectives, and bureaucracy in implementing advanced policies all inhibit young people from accessing advanced sex education.
Advocates note that the culture of shame and stigma surrounding sexuality in many communities must first be addressed, and individuals seeking to advance sex education can debunk misconceptions concerning sexuality and sex education. After contacting their local school board, advocates can determine what topics are missing from sex education instruction, such as trauma informed, medically accurate instruction on consent, sexual orientation and gender identity, and contraceptives. They can then vocalize the important need for advancing sex education requirements in their community. Advocates are encouraged to take action on pending legislation that seeks to advance or restrict the principles of sex education. For a current overview of pending legislation, see table below. Advocates can contact their representatives to discuss the critical need for the Department of Education to review and amend current regulations to require sex education in health courses. More information about how to get involved with advocating for sex education can be found in the Community Action Toolkit, a resource created by SIECUS or reach out to EducateUs to get connected to local advocacy groups.
State Law: A Closer Look
Puerto Rico’s Title 3 Chapter 9A subchapter III § 144c-d requires schools to implement sex education programs for students. These programs shall “emphasize the physiological and emotional aspects of sexual relations, as well as the family responsibilities related thereto, and the risks entailed as a result of these relationships.” Additionally, the law states that schools shall “provide information and orientation to the students on the sexual development of human beings; family relations; problems of adolescence; personal finances; and on any other topics that the school or the Secretary deem are pertinent.” Puerto Rico does not require parental permission for students to participate in sexuality or HIV/AIDS education, nor does it say whether parents or guardians may remove their children from such classes.
Puerto Rico Standards
Puerto Rico’s Programa de Salud Escolar (health education standards) include discussion on abstinence, safer-sex practices, and avoiding sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV.
Puerto Rico Legislation
State legislative activity related to sex education does not take place in isolation from the broader embroiled political and policy climate. Attacks on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ) individuals, attempts to restrict or prohibit instruction on “divisive concepts” such as Critical Race Theory, and efforts to limit access to abortion care and other reproductive health care services prevent students from receiving comprehensive sex education and accessing sexual and reproductive health care services. Below are highlights of current legislative activity related to these topics. Puerto Rico’s 2021 legislative session convened January 11, 2021, and will adjourn December 31, 2024.
Youth Sexual Health Data
Young people are more than their health behaviors and outcomes. While data can be a powerful tool to demonstrate the sex education and sexual health care needs of young people, it is important to be mindful that these behaviors and outcomes are impacted by systemic inequities present in our society that affect an individual’s sexual health and well-being. To learn more about Puerto Rico’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) results, click here. At the time of publication, 2021 data was not made available yet.
State School Health Profiles Data
In 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the 2020 School Health Profiles, which measure school health policies and practices and highlight which health topics were taught in schools across the country. Since the data were collected from self-administered questionnaires completed by schools’ principals and lead health education teachers, the CDC notes that one limitation of the School Health Profiles is bias toward the reporting of more positive policies and practices. In the School Health Profiles, the CDC identifies 22 sexual health education topics as critical for ensuring a young person’s sexual health. Below are key instruction highlights for secondary schools in Puerto Rico as reported for the 2019–2020 school year.
Reported teaching all 22 critical sexual health education topics
- 27.2% of Puerto Rico secondary schools taught students all 22 critical sexual health education topics in a required course in any of grades 6, 7, or 8.
- 54.4% of Puerto Rico secondary schools taught students all 22 critical sexual health education topics in a required course in any of grades 9, 10, 11, or 12.
Reported teaching about the benefits of being sexually abstinent
- 85.3% of Puerto Rico secondary schools taught students about the benefits of being sexually abstinent in a required course in any of grades 6, 7, or 8.
- 98.2% of Puerto Rico secondary schools taught students about the benefits of being sexually abstinent in a required course in any of grades 9, 10, 11, or 12.
Reported teaching how to access valid and reliable information, products, and services related to HIV, other STDs, and pregnancy
- 80.6% of Puerto Rico secondary schools taught students how to access valid and reliable information, products, and services related to HIV, other STDs, and pregnancy in a required course in any of grades 6, 7, or 8.
- 92.8% of Puerto Rico secondary schools taught students how to access valid and reliable information, products, and services related to HIV, other STDs, and pregnancy in a required course in any of grades 9, 10, 11, or 12.
Reported teaching how to create and sustain healthy and respectful relationships
- 82.5% of Puerto Rico secondary schools taught students how to create and sustain healthy and respectful relationships in a required course in any of grades 6, 7, or 8.
- 98.2% of Puerto Rico secondary schools taught students how to create and sustain healthy and respectful relationships in a required course in any of grades 9, 10, 11, or 12.
Reported teaching about preventive care that is necessary to maintain reproductive and sexual health
- 73.5% of Puerto Rico secondary schools taught students about preventive care that is necessary to maintain reproductive and sexual health in a required course in any of grades 6, 7, or 8.
- 94.6% of Puerto Rico secondary schools taught students about preventive care that is necessary to maintain reproductive and sexual health in a required course in any of grades 9, 10, 11, or 12.
Reported teaching how to correctly use a condom
- 49.1% of Puerto Rico secondary schools taught students how to correctly use a condom in a required course in any of grades 6, 7, or 8.
- 80.7% of Puerto Rico secondary schools taught students how to correctly use a condom in a required course in any of grades 9, 10, 11, or 12.
Reported teaching about methods of contraception other than condoms
- 62.5% of Puerto Rico secondary schools taught students about methods of contraception other than condoms in a required course in any of grades 6, 7, or 8.
- 83% of Puerto Rico secondary schools taught students about methods of contraception other than condoms in a required course in any of grades 9, 10, 11, or 12.
Reported teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity
- 67% of Puerto Rico secondary schools taught students about sexual orientation and gender identity in a required course in any of grades 6, 7, or 8.
78.8% of Puerto Rico secondary schools taught students about sexual orientation and gender identity in a required course in any of grades 9, 10, 11, or 12.
Reported teaching about how gender roles and stereotypes affect goals, decision making, and relationships
- 76.6% of Puerto Rico secondary schools taught students about gender roles and stereotypes in a required course in any of grades 6, 7, or 8.
- 89.2% of Puerto Rico secondary schools taught students about gender roles and stereotypes in a required course in any of grades 9, 10, 11, or 12.
Reported providing curricula or supplementary materials relevant to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ) youth
- 35.3% of Puerto Rico secondary schools provided students with curricula or supplementary materials that included HIV, STD, or pregnancy prevention information relevant to LGBTQ youth.
Visit the CDC’s School Health Profiles report for additional information on school health policies and practices.
The quality of sex education taught often reflects funding available for sex education programs. To learn more about federal funding streams, click here.
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