Life-Cycle Effects of Comprehensive Sex Education

Abstract

Using the introduction of comprehensive sex education in Sweden as a natural experiment, we explore how educational curricula can shape social norms and impact personal well-being. Inspired by liberal values, the curriculum taught more than just biology. It instilled lessons on abstinence, rational family planning, and the importance of taking social responsibility for personal decisions. We find that the reform successfully addressed its intended outcomes, reducing unwanted pregnancies, leading to fertility postponements and increasing female labor force participation. The findings suggest that social norms, internalized through school-based sex education, persistently affect peoples outcomes in significant ways.