How has the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, overturning the constitutional right to abortion, impacted the country's sex education? Our answer begins by reviewing the status of U.S. sex ...education, pre-Dobbs: feminist critiques and our survey of young people's perspectives both underscore the inadequacy of risk-focused approaches, the importance of practical information, and the different sex educational issues facing young women vs. young men. We then examine published feminist and student reactions to Dobbs, its negative impact on sex education and potential positive effects. While several states have passed bills against teaching crucial sex- and gender-related topics, these restrictions have intensified feminist critiques, provoking steps to improve access to contraceptives, and providing guidance for home-based sex-educational conversations. And, young people themselves are taking initiative, developing sex education programs addressing their most pressing concerns. We ask: might we be at a pivotal moment in the evolution of U.S. sex education?
