|
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 text | JKenner.pdf |
| |