The Contemporary Views on Sex Education, Nov. 10-12, 1986, study was conducted by telephone during the week of November 10-12, 1986, by Yankelovich, Clancy, and Shulman in order to assess attitudes regarding sex education and related issues throughout the continental U.S. Time magazine sponsored the survey. Respondents were asked about their personal perspectives regarding the importance and ramifications of both home and school sex education for children of various ages. Information on various socioeconomic, demographic, religious, and marital status characteristics of each respondent was also collected. The questionnaire was designed such that questions regarding sex education on a general level preceded questions addressing any personal experience with children on the same issues.

The Yankelovich studies are conducted periodically on a variety of topics of contemporary interest, the questionnaire format being identical (general to specific). A related DAAPPP data set (Yankelovich Life Polls, 1981, DAAPPP Data Set B2), measures attitudes and experiences regarding abortion and abortion-related issues.