Sex ed is a culturally sensitive issue in classrooms around the world, with a complete abstinence from discussion in some, and others going all the way.
POLAND
When: Parents who wanted their children to take sex-ed classes used to have to make a special request, and instruction was often offered on an ad hoc basis before the school day began. In 2009, mandatory sex ed was introduced for all children in Grade 5 and up.
What: The level of knowledge about human sexuality and reproductive health is embarrassingly low in Poland, and has been strongly influenced by the Catholic religion, stressing abstinence.
Whoa: When the new curriculum was introduced, some critics said state funds should not be used to train teachers in sex ed, and that those interested in teaching the classes should pay themselves.
UNITED STATES
When: There is no federal law that requires public schools to teach sex education, and curriculums are decided by state governments and local school boards.
What: Only 18 states and the District of Columbia require schools to provide sex ed; 32 do not. Many states have a strong focus on abstinence, and discussion of homosexuality, contraception and abortion is rare.
Whoa: After Wisconsin introduced the Healthy Youth Act in March, requiring schools to teach medically accurate, age-appropriate sex ed, a state district attorney warned that teachers who followed the new curriculum could be arrested.
FINLAND
When: Basic sex-ed begins in kindergarten and continues through high school.
What: The curriculum for ninth-graders includes discussion of abortion and masturbation.
Whoa: At age 15, every student receives an "introductory sexual package" from the Population and Family Welfare Federation, which includes an information brochure, a condom and a cartoon love story.
SPAIN
When: A special series of workshops is held for 14-17 year-olds in some Spanish regions.
What: The publicly funded campaign focuses on anatomy, body image, safer-sex practices and gender equality.
Whoa: The course was promoted as also teaching "sexual self-exploration and erotic self-knowledge," causing an uproar throughout the country.
NETHERLANDS
When: There is no national curriculum, but sex-ed is compulsory in all secondary schools. Most primary schools also discuss sex and relationships with children six years old and older.
What: Subsidized by the Dutch government, a program called Long Live Love was developed in the 1980s and focuses on reproduction as well as values, communication and "negotiation skills." In the Grade 1, students learn the difference between boys and girls and what it means to fall in love.
Whoa: The Netherlands has one of the lowest teenage pregnancy rates in the world.
SWEDEN
When: The curriculum is introduced around age 6, and focuses on anatomy and how babies are made. For students older than 12, classes revolve around disease and contraception.
What: Sex-ed has been mandatory in the country since 1956. As well as proper condom use, the discussion of sex positions, same-sex relationships, gender equality and loving relationships are all part of the curriculum for 14-year-olds.
Whoa: In 2009, education and integration ministers argued to remove legislation that allows parents to opt their children out of sex-ed on a religious basis.