Specifically, 44% of respondents think additional sex education could lead to healthier relationships, while 40% feel it would enhance their understanding of being a good partner and boost sexual confidence.

The study highlights that about one-third of participants never received education on key topics like healthy relationships, consent, communication, pleasure, or dating during their youth, with only 55% learning about reproduction or pregnancy in school.

The study found that these educational gaps span a wide age range, from 18 to 98, indicating that many adults still feel the impact of inadequate sex education.

Over 90% of participants believe that having more comprehensive information would positively influence their lives today, improving aspects such as relationship health, understanding of partnership, sexual confidence, and personal well-being.

A recent study by the Kinsey Institute involving nearly 3,900 U.S. adults reveals significant gaps in the sex education they received during youth, which have long-lasting effects on their adult relationships, confidence, and overall quality of life.

While topics such as puberty (44%), STI prevention/testing (43%), and contraception (41%) were commonly covered, lessons on consent (17%), gender (12%), and healthy relationships (7%) were rarely taught.

Most respondents learned about reproduction or pregnancy and puberty in school, but education on consent, gender, and healthy relationships was minimal, with communication and pleasure topics being the least addressed.

The research underscores the need for ongoing, comprehensive sex education beyond youth, emphasizing the importance of credible resources for adults, such as the online Crash Course Sex Ed program developed with the Kinsey Institute.

This initiative aims to fill the educational gaps identified in the study by providing accessible, trustworthy information to help adults improve their relationships, confidence, and understanding of their own bodies.