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When Do Sex Ed Mandates Reduce Teen Births? Evidence on Inequality

Author

Listed:
  • Priyanshu Pokhrel

  • Abigail S. Hornstein

    (Department of Economics, Wesleyan University)

Abstract

In high-inequality states the opportunity cost of delayed fertility do not resonate with youth, undermining the effectiveness of sex education. Teen fertility remains high despite widespread mandates for school-based sex education, perhaps due to heterogeneous topic coverage and variation in classroom implementation. Social inequality affects teens’ need for school-based education and response to the content. Using staggered difference-indifferences estimation that is reversal-robust, we find that teen fertility rises in highinequality states when sex education is required in schools. We conclude that policy design and implementation are distinct dimensions of sex education, and they must be tailored to local social conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Priyanshu Pokhrel & Abigail S. Hornstein, 2026. "When Do Sex Ed Mandates Reduce Teen Births? Evidence on Inequality," Wesleyan Economics Working Papers 2026-008, Wesleyan University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:wes:weswpa:2026-008
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    File URL: http://repec.wesleyan.edu/pdf/ahornstein/2026008_hornstein.pdf
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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