Schools skimping on sex education.

In 1961, singer Jewel Akins' hit single suggested, "Let me tell you `bout the birds and the bees." Today's parents and educators are heeding that advice, but when it comes to the topic of birth control, they're singing another song.

According to "Teens Talk," a survey commissioned by Durex Consumer Products, a manufacturer of condoms, parents need to play an even more active role in combating the national epidemic of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. While America's teens generally are comfortable talking to their mothers and fathers about dating and relationships, more than one in three say they are not when discussing birth control and the purchase of contraceptives.

The survey polled a representative sample of 500 15- to 19-year-olds nationwide concerning sexuality and sex education in the home and the classroom. The results show they are not getting enough information about birth control and other sexual health topics through their schools. Despite the 98% who report receiving sexuality education in school, 55% still have questions about birth control methods, where and how to get birth control confidentially, and...