Drew University Library : University Archives : Theses and Dissertations
    
author Julia Kenner
title "Boys Masturbate, Girls Menstruate:" Reframing and Reforming Sex Education in the United States
abstract This honors thesis explores the socio-political history, current methods, and outcomes of sex education in the public school system in the United States by analyzing government and medical institutions' approaches to sex throughout the 1900s as well as education policy through the Obama and Trump administration and evaluating data on the success, or lack thereof, of various curriculums. The main findings are that abstinence-based and abstinence-only education are not effective in reducing teen pregnancy and STI rates, yet it is the most common form of sex education implemented in American public schools. Abstinence-based education perpetuates often harmful and inaccurate notions of gender roles, sexuality, and pleasure. Thus, adaptations to those curriculums are necessary to improve teen sexual health. The new adaptations to these curriculums should be evidence-based, comprehensive, inclusive, and non-judgemental. Studying sex education reveals societal flaws in our governments and educational institutions that present a disconnect from the lives and needs of students. It also exposes larger health issues, such as race and class disparities in teen reproductive health and education opportunities, as well as the silence around non-heterosexual sexual experiences. The end of the thesis includes a plan for evidence-based and empowering curriculum construction.
school The College of Liberal Arts, Drew University
degree B.A. (2021)
advisor Caitlin Killian
committee Tina McKittrick
Adijat Mustapha
full textJKenner.pdf