The Ethics of Sex Education

European countries vary in their practice and ethos of sex education. They also vary greatly in their rates of sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned teenage pregnancies. In most European countries, however, one or both of these indicators of sexual health is showing an adverse trend. Sex education experts motivated by the ideology of a teenager's right to a full and free sex life, say the remedies are more explicit sex education at an earlier age and increased availability of contraceptive and abortion services. Those motivated by a biblical ideology often point to "abstinence-only" education and restriction of contraceptive and abortion provision without parental consent as the required solutions. What is the evidence to support both these views and what ethical principles should underpin sex education?