Why I Began #AskDrRaegan
When I joined the team at Power to Decide as CEO in 2020, I was excited by the opportunity to find new, creative ways to deliver sex ed to people—and especially to young people. As misinformation on sexual and reproductive health runs rampant online, we need easily accessible, high-quality, and evidence-based info about sexual health now more than ever.
Many young people have significant gaps in understanding how their bodies work, how birth control works, what consent is, and more related to sex and relationships because they have never received comprehensive, evidence-informed sex education in their school or at home.
So, we went to the places where young people already spend considerable time. Over the last four years I have used X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and YouTube to share the facts about abortion, birth control, sex, and so much more using the hashtag #AskDrRaegan.
I make videos to educate everyone, pulling inspiration from questions I frequently hear as an OB-GYN, as a mother, a trusted auntie, or see online. But my content can be especially useful to the parents and champions of young people as tools to start or continue conversations on sex, love, and relationships.
In May, we recognize both #TalkingIsPower and #SexEdForAll, two campaigns that seek to ensure that all young people have the information they need to make decisions that will allow them to live their lives on their own terms. Sex education should provide young folks with age-appropriate, medically accurate, and culturally relevant information without shame or judgment.
This month I ask you to join me in calling on our elected officials to invest in sex education that meets the full needs of young people at the local, state, and federal levels. I also ask that if you are a parent, guardian, coach, mentor, or other family member to a young person that you speak to them about sex, love, and relationships. Research has consistently shown that while young people learn about sex from a variety of sources (friends, TV, social media, etc.), they want to hear about sex from the champions in their life. Check out all our Talking is Power resources for more information.
