In the current educational landscape, puberty education exists at an intersection of critical health information, family values, and school responsibilities. The rise of the parents’ rights movement has brought renewed attention to what and how we teach children about their changing bodies. At Puberty: The Wonder Years, we’ve always emphasized that effective puberty education doesn’t pit schools against families—it brings them together as partners in supporting young people through this important developmental stage.
Understanding the Current Landscape
The educational environment has become increasingly politicized in recent years, with the “parents’ rights” movement emerging as a significant force. This movement gained substantial momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic when remote learning gave parents unprecedented visibility into classroom instruction. As EdWeek reported, “For many parents, it was their first time seeing daily lessons. Some were appalled by content about race, gender identity, and sexuality, igniting a fervor” (EdWeek, 2024).
This has led to heated debates at school board meetings, organized political action, and a wave of legislation across the country. By February 2024, conservative political action committees had invested millions in local school board races (Collins & Henig, 2024). The movement specifically targets schools’ ability to teach certain viewpoints on gender, sexuality, and race without explicit parental consent (Wikipedia, 2025). In May 2024, one country reported plans to stop schools from teaching sex education to pupils under nine, with some politicians claiming children were receiving these lessons at too young an age (ITV News, 2024).
For puberty education specifically, these tensions have manifested in pushback against discussions of gender identity, LGBTQ+ topics, and comprehensive approaches to reproductive health. Some jurisdictions have moved to eliminate references to gender identities and stereotypes from curricula, or to delay discussions of sexual orientation until later grades (Wikipedia, 2024).
Yet, this narrative doesn’t tell the whole story. Despite the vocal opposition, research consistently shows widespread parent support for comprehensive sexuality education. Studies reveal that more than 89% of parents—both Republicans and Democrats—support teaching a wide range of topics in sex education by high school, including puberty, healthy relationships, abstinence, STDs, and birth control (PLoS One, 2017). Even for middle school, support exceeds 78% across political affiliations.
The gap between the vocal opposition and the actual majority view presents both a challenge and an opportunity. While this increased scrutiny might feel intimidating to educators, it actually invites us to demonstrate the value of transparent, evidence-based approaches to puberty education. Education researchers note that most parents don’t prioritize “culture war” issues when it comes to their children’s education—they care about school improvement and their children’s development (Collins & Henig, 2024).
The Power of Transparency
Transparency is the foundation of trust between schools and families. When it comes to puberty education, being open and forthcoming about what will be taught helps alleviate fears and misconceptions that often drive controversy.
Research consistently shows that most parents who initially express concerns about puberty education become supportive once they have reviewed the actual materials. In our experience working with thousands of educators across the country, the schools that experience the least controversy are those that:
- Openly communicate about curriculum content before implementation
- Provide opportunities for parents to preview materials
- Clearly explain the educational goals of puberty education
- Acknowledge the primary role of families in shaping values around puberty and sexuality
When schools attempt to hide curriculum or avoid discussions about what’s being taught, they inadvertently create an environment of mistrust. As we always tell the educators we train: “If you be secretive or try to hide things, it will create mistrust.”
Family Engagement: Beyond Permission Slips
True family engagement in puberty education goes far beyond simply sending home permission forms. Research demonstrates that when parents are meaningfully involved in their children’s education, it contributes significantly to students’ sense of safety and improves school engagement.
A review by the American Psychological Association examining 448 independent studies found that parental involvement is linked with improved academic achievement, higher student engagement, and increased motivation. For puberty education specifically, family engagement provides several key benefits:
- Creates consistent messaging between home and school
- Increases student comfort knowing parents are aware and supportive
- Builds a safety net for students with questions or concerns
- Reinforces learning through home discussions
Puberty: The Wonder Years curriculum includes multiple tools for family engagement, including Family Activity Sheets, Family Partnership Flyers, parent introduction letters, and resources for families to continue conversations at home. These aren’t just supplemental materials—they’re central to our approach.
Practical Strategies for Building Bridges
Based on our extensive work with schools implementing puberty education, here are proven strategies for engaging families in ways that respect their role while advancing student health:
1. Create Preview Opportunities
Set up times for parents to preview curriculum materials before implementation. This can be done through in-person preview sessions, online access to materials, or sending home curriculum summaries. The goal is to give parents accurate information about what will be taught.
2. Develop Clear Communication
Prepare clear, straightforward explanations of:
- When puberty education will be taught
- What topics will be covered at each grade level
- How the curriculum aligns with educational standards
- The option for parents to review materials or opt children out
- How questions from students will be handled
3. Build Ongoing Engagement
Rather than treating family communication as a one-time event, create ongoing opportunities for engagement:
- Assign activities for students to complete with family members
- Provide discussion guides for continuing conversations at home
- Offer parent education sessions on how to talk about puberty
- Share reliable online resources for families
4. Prepare for Questions and Concerns
Designate a point person who is knowledgeable about your puberty education program to respond to questions or concerns. Equip this person with information about:
- The curriculum selection process
- The educational importance of puberty education
- Options for families who have concerns
- Research supporting your approach
Benefits of a Partnership Approach
When schools successfully create true partnerships with families around puberty education, the benefits are substantial and supported by research:
For students:
They receive consistent messaging and feel supported by both home and school during this critical developmental period. A 2023 study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that parental involvement contributes significantly to students’ sense of safety and ultimately improves school engagement (EdWeek, 2023). This is particularly important for puberty education, where students need trusted adults to help them navigate physical and emotional changes. Recent research from 2023 demonstrated that a puberty education intervention for 9-12 year old girls produced measurable increases in knowledge and positive shifts in attitudes (PubMed, 2023).
For parents:
They feel respected as the primary educators of their children on values-based topics while gaining resources and support for having important conversations. According to a review of 448 independent studies by the American Psychological Association, when parents are meaningfully involved in their children’s education, it links to improved academic achievement, higher student engagement, and increased motivation (EdWeek, 2024). For puberty education specifically, parent involvement helps bridge the gap between school learning and family values.
For schools:
They experience less controversy, stronger community trust, and better educational outcomes. Research has consistently shown that most parents who initially express concerns about puberty education become supportive once they review the actual materials (Puberty Curriculum, 2024). This transparency builds trust and reduces misunderstandings. Additionally, studies show that when parents are meaningfully involved, teachers gain valuable insights that help them better support individual students (EdWeek, 2024).
For communities:
A collaborative approach reduces divisiveness and polarization around topics that have become politicized. Despite the heated rhetoric in public debates, research reveals that over 93% of parents place high importance on sex education in middle and high school, regardless of political affiliation (PLoS One, 2017). By focusing on this common ground rather than the divisive extremes, schools can build community consensus around evidence-based puberty education.
Conclusion: Finding Common Ground
Despite the sometimes heated public debates that dominate headlines, the data consistently shows that most parents and educators share substantial common ground: they want children to have accurate information about puberty, delivered in ways that are age-appropriate and respectful of families.
The evidence is clear—puberty education programs are “universally important, as they provide crucial knowledge and skills to help youth and their caregivers navigate the physical, emotional, and interpersonal changes of puberty with positive outcomes” (PubMed, 2023). Yet as noted in this same research, few puberty programs have been rigorously evaluated, creating a gap in evidence-based practice that curricula like Puberty: The Wonder Years aims to fill.
By emphasizing transparency and authentic family engagement, schools can successfully navigate today’s complex educational landscape. The small but vocal opposition should not overshadow the overwhelming support from parents across the political spectrum for comprehensive, age-appropriate puberty education. As one research study revealed, “Sex education in middle and high school is widely supported by parents regardless of their political affiliation” (PLoS One, 2017).
When implementing a new puberty education program, there will inevitably be questions and concerns. As we often remind the educators we work with, the first year of implementing a new puberty education curriculum may feel challenging, but with thoughtful family engagement, “the ride smooths out over time.”
The path forward is clear: when schools provide transparency about what’s being taught, create meaningful opportunities for family engagement, and focus on evidence-based approaches that respect diverse family values, everyone benefits. And most importantly, when schools and families work together as true partners in puberty education, young people receive the consistent support they need during this crucial developmental stage—support that research shows contributes to their physical health, emotional well-being, and academic success.
Puberty: The Wonder Years is a puberty education curriculum for students in grades 4, 5, and 6 that emphasizes appreciation and respect for the amazing changes experienced by self and others. Learn more at PubertyCurriculum.com.
