why student taking the course of sex and sexuality

by Shawn Beatty 10 min read

This course was designed to simply teach students about the way people experience and express themselves sexually. This involves everything from emotional feelings to spiritual feelings to biological feelings and a lot of people don't realize this. They don't see human sexuality as a bigger picture and they ignore everything it encompasses.

Full Answer

Why is sexuality education important?

This page provides evidence of why sexuality education is important, supporting evidence and information on inclusive sexuality education. The latest national research has revealed that most young people learn about sex and sexual health (93 per cent) from school-based sexuality education programs ( Writing themselves in again, 2005).

Is sex education being taught in our classrooms?

But there's little to no comprehensive sex education happening in our classrooms. As teachers and parents, we've handed the wheel over to Hollywood and the porn industry and let them teach our kids about sex.

How does sex education affect sexual risk-taking among teenagers?

Research from the National Survey of Family Growth assessed the impact of sexuality education on youth sexual risk-taking for young people ages 15-19 and found that teens who received comprehensive sex education were 50 percent less likely to experience pregnancy than those who received abstinence-only-until-marriage programs.

How does student sexual health affect academic success?

Student sexual health can affect academic success. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that students who do not engage in health risk behaviors receive higher grades than students who do engage in health risk behaviors. Health-related problems and unintended pregnancy can both contribute to absenteeism and dropout. [11]

Why should students study human sexuality?

Students begin studying sexuality for many reasons: to gain insight into their sexuality in relationships, to become more comfortable with their sexuality, to explore personal sexual issues, to dispel anxieties and doubts, to validate their sexual identity, to resolve traumatic sexual experiences, to learn how to avoid ...

What is the purpose of studying gender and sexuality?

Gender and sexuality studies trains you to examine gender relations and the construction of gender and sexual difference from a globally-informed perspective and to consider how gender and sexuality intersect with the social categories of race, class, ethnicity, disability, and age to produce our complex social ...

What is gender and sexuality study?

Gender and Sexuality Studies is an interdisciplinary concentration that examines the construction of gender and sexuality in social, cultural, political, economic, or scientific contexts.

How does sexual health affect academic success?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that students who do not engage in health risk behaviors receive higher grades than students who do engage in health risk behaviors.

What is sex education?

Sex education is the provision of information about bodily development, sex, sexuality, and relationships, along with skills-building to help young people communicate about and make informed decisions regarding sex and their sexual health.

What are the national standards for sexual education?

The National Sexuality Education Standards, developed by experts in the public health and sexuality education field and heavily influenced by the National Health Education Standards, provide guidance about the minimum essential content and skills needed to help students make informed decisions about sexual health.15 The standards focus on seven topics as the minimum, essential content and skills for K–12 education: Anatomy and Physiology, Puberty and Adolescent Development, Identity, Pregnancy and Reproduction, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and HIV, Healthy Relationships, and Personal Safety. Topics are presented using performance indicators—what students should learn by the end of grades 2, 5, 8, and 12. [16] Schools which are developing comprehensive sexual health education programs should consult the National Sexuality Education Standards to provide students with the information and skills they need to develop into healthy adults.

How many programs showed statistically significant declines in teen pregnancy, HIV or other STIs?

21 programs showed statistically significant declines in teen pregnancy, HIV or other STIs.

What is sexual health education?

Comprehensive sexual health education teaches not only the basics of puberty and development, but also instills in young people that they have the right to decide what behaviors they engage in and to say no to unwanted sexual activity.

How effective are sexual risk reduction programs?

A 2012 study that examined 66 comprehensive sexual risk reduction programs found them to be an effective public health strategy to reduce adolescent pregnancy, HIV, and STIs. [12]

Why should schools consult the National Sexuality Education Standards?

Schools which are developing comprehensive sexual health education programs should consult the National Sexuality Education Standards to provide students with the information and skills they need to develop into healthy adults. Evidence-based interventions are proven effective for schools serving communities at risk.

What did Scott Morrison say about LGBTIQ?

Morrison said schools don’t need “gender whisperers”, referring to an article which stated teachers were being taught how to spot potentially transgender students.

Why is diversity important in schools?

It’s also important to raise awareness among young people to mitigate family, domestic and sexual violence.

What is safe schools?

Safe Schools was designed as an evidence-based, educational anti-bullying program. The program had LGBTIQ inclusion at its core, and sought to create safe and inclusive environments for LGBTIQ students. Resources used to help deliver the program were developed by experts and carefully selected to ensure they were age-appropriate for the students using them.

Why does Morrison send his children to religious schools?

Morrison has also brushed aside concerns about gay conversion therapy, and publicly stated he sends his children to a religious schools to avoid “ skin curling ” discussions about gender diversity and sexuality.

Is there a high level of mental health issues among LGBTIQ?

Likewise, current research about young people and sex, sexuality and gender diversity is alarming. There are still high levels of mental health issues (such as depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide) among LGBTIQ young people as a result of bullying, discrimination, and harassment at school and in the wider community.

Is there a strong case for sexuality, gender and sex education?

A strong case for sexuality, gender and sex education. Gender and sexual diversity are part of the rich multicultural landscape of contemporary Australian society. But research indicates there’s significant cause for concern about gender-based violence and family violence.

Do religious schools have exemptions?

Additionally, religious schools have exemptions under anti-discrimination laws to decide how they approach these issues, and whether they include them at all. Despite the gains made in the marriage equality debate, Australia has been unable to translate this into inclusive sex and sexuality education for young people.

What is inclusive sexuality education?

Inclusive sexuality education. To be meaningful for all, it is essential to ensure learning and teaching in school-based sexuality education programs recognise and respond to the diversity of student needs. Forms of diversity include sexual orientation, gender, culture, religion and disability.

What is a comprehensive, whole school sexuality education?

Comprehensive, whole-school sexuality education, that provides consistent and accurate information to all young Victorians from an early age and is respectful of diversity, can contribute to positive behaviour change.

How can young people make good decisions about their sexual health?

Young people can make good decisions about their sexual health if education policies, programs and services are available to help them.

Why is it important to support schools and parents?

With the latest research telling us that school children are turning to schools and their families for reliable information, it is important to support schools and parents to do the best job they can.

Do young people have sexual activity?

Research tells us that many young people are sexually active in some way and this has increased over the last decade. Research reports two issues of concern:

1. To Educate Yourself

A lot of people would say ignorance is bliss and that if you don't personally struggle with your sexuality, you shouldn't take this course. However, because of how prevalent this subject has become in our society, everyone ought to learn more about it.

2. To Discover Who You Are

For college students, it is perfectly normal to not know who you are completely. A lot of people struggle with their sexuality and figuring out what exactly they want in another person and this course will really help those people.

3. To Challenge Yourself

This course is not just for people struggling with their sexuality. This course was designed to simply teach students about the way people experience and express themselves sexually. This involves everything from emotional feelings to spiritual feelings to biological feelings and a lot of people don't realize this.

4. To Express Your Thoughts

UC is a huge school filled with all kinds of people- as stated multiple times earlier, you don't have to be someone struggling with this to take the course. However, in this course, everyone's voice will be heard and everyone's opinions will be accepted.

5. To Grow

Learning about other people and the world around you will help you grow as a person immensely. You will be challenged in your thought process and will be introduced to new ideas and opinions and because of this, you will grow to be a lot more open minded.

What is the time when the body becomes sexually mature and can reproduce?

Puberty is the time in life when the body becomes sexually mature and can reproduce. Now, as adults, we know that just because the body becomes physically mature the mind and heart are not quite ready for the seriousness of being sexually active. It simply means the teenage body can now procreate.

Do students want to talk about sex?

Yes, it's true! Your students want to talk about sex. They want to learn about their body and understand the major physical changes that are happening. And why shouldn't they be?

Why is sex education important?

Giving students a foundation in relationship-building and centering the notion of care for others can enhance wellbeing and pave the way for healthy intimacy in the future , experts say. It can prevent or counter gender stereotyping and bias. And it could minimize instances of sexual ...

Why is it important to focus on relationships in schools?

Regardless, they have a relationship of some sort, which is why a focus on relationships and empathy is crucial to reducing violence and preparing students for more meaningful lives.

Why is it important to give students a foundation in relationship building?

standard. Giving students a foundation in relationship-building can enhance wellbeing and pave the way for healthy intimacy in the future, experts say. It can also prevent or counter gender stereotyping, and it could minimize instances of sexual harassment and assault in middle and high school.

Who helped Sharon Lamb pilot the Sexual Ethics and Caring Curriculum?

Renee Randazzo helped researcher Sharon Lamb pilot the Sexual Ethics and Caring Curriculum while a graduate student at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She recalls boys snickering during discussions about pornography and objectification. At first, it was hard for students to be vulnerable.

Who introduced the Safe Relationships Act?

In 2015, Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) introduced the Teach Safe Relationships Act, which would have mandated secondary schools teach about safe relationships, including asking for consent, in health education courses. It didn’t go anywhere.

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Building An Evidence- and Rights-Based Approach to Healthy Decision-Making

What Is Sexual Health Education?

  • Sex education is the provision of information about bodily development, sex, sexuality, and relationships, along with skills-building to help young people communicate about and make informed decisions regarding sex and their sexual health. Sex education should occur throughout a student’s grade levels, with information appropriate to students’ deve...
See more on advocatesforyouth.org

What Does The Research Say About Effective Sex Education?

  1. Comprehensive sexual health education works.Research has repeatedly found that sex education which provides accurate, complete, and developmentally appropriate information on human sexuality, inclu...
  2. National Sexuality Education Standards provide a roadmap.The National Sexuality Education Standards, developed by experts in the public health and sexuality education field and heavil…
  1. Comprehensive sexual health education works.Research has repeatedly found that sex education which provides accurate, complete, and developmentally appropriate information on human sexuality, inclu...
  2. National Sexuality Education Standards provide a roadmap.The National Sexuality Education Standards, developed by experts in the public health and sexuality education field and heavily influenced b...
  3. Evidence-based interventions are proven effective for schools serving communities at risk.Schools may wish to embed evidence-based interventions (EBIs) in their sexual health education programs. Ot...

What’s Wrong with Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs?

  • Many students receive abstinence-only-until marriage programs instead of or in addition to more comprehensive programs. These programs: 1. Depict abstinence until heterosexual marriage as the only moral choice for young people 2. Mention contraception only in terms of failure rates 3. Focus on heterosexual youth, ignoring the needs of LGBTQ youth 4. Often use outdated gende…
See more on advocatesforyouth.org

How Is The Content of A Student’S Sex Education decided?

  • Many factors help shape the content of a student’s sex education. These include: 1. State and federal funding the school district receives 2. State laws and standards regarding sex education 3. School district level policies and/or standards regarding curricula and content 4. The program or curriculum a district or individual school selects 5. The individual(s) who delivers the program. W…
See more on advocatesforyouth.org

What Are Federal, State, and Local Structures That Affect Sex Education?

  • In the United States, education is largely a state and local responsibility, as dictated by the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This amendment states that “the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” Because the Constitution doesn’t specifically mention education, …
See more on advocatesforyouth.org

Conclusion

  • Young people have the right to lead healthy lives. As they develop, we want them to take more and more control of their lives so that as they get older, they can make important life decisions on their own. The balance between responsibility and rights is critical because it sets behavioral expectations and builds trust while providing young people with the knowledge, ability, and comf…
See more on advocatesforyouth.org

References

  • 1. CDC. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance, 2011. Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2012. 2. Finer LB et al., Disparities in rates of unintended pregnancy in the United States, 1994 and 2001, Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2006, 38(2):90–96. 3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexuall…
See more on advocatesforyouth.org

No More Federal Funding For Safe Schools

An Inconsistent Approach

  • Safe Schools has been replaced by an eclectic mix of programs, which vary from state to state. As a result, Australia has an inconsistent approach across state education systems. In Victoria, the Building Respectful Relationshipsprogram was trialled in 2015 in response to recommendations Royal Commission into Family Violence and rolled out more broadly since 2016. The program c…
See more on theconversation.com

Federal Discomfort with Sex, Sexuality and Gender Discussions

  • Scott Morrison has made a number of comments about LGBTIQ issues in his short time as Prime Minister. Morrison said schools don’t need “gender whisperers”, referring to an articlewhich stated teachers were being taught how to spot potentially transgender students. It has since been clarified teachers were being trained on how to support students ifthey identify as transgender, n…
See more on theconversation.com

A Strong Case For Sexuality, Gender and Sex Education

  • Gender and sexual diversity are part of the rich multicultural landscape of contemporary Australian society. But research indicates there’s significant cause for concern about gender-based violence and family violence. Education about respectful relationships was identified as a key way to combat this in the Royal Commission into Family Violence. L...
See more on theconversation.com

Questions and Answers

  • This document provides answers to some frequently asked questions about sexuality education in schools. 1. Questions and answers (pdf - 75.13kb)
See more on education.vic.gov.au

Inclusive Sexuality Education

  • To be meaningful for all, it is essential to ensure learning and teaching in school-based sexuality education programs recognise and respond to the diversity of student needs. Forms of diversity include sexual orientation, gender, culture, religion and disability. The SSAFE (same-sex attracted family environments) in schools project provides an out...
See more on education.vic.gov.au

Supportive Evidence

  1. Hillier, L., Bradonjic, Z., Catching On Evaluation, (2006) Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, Melbourne.
  2. Hillier, L., Turner, A., Mitchell, A., (2005) Writing themselves in againAustralian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria.
  3. Leahy, D., Horne, R. & Harrison, L., (2004) BassCoastSexuality Education Report: Needs An…
  1. Hillier, L., Bradonjic, Z., Catching On Evaluation, (2006) Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, Melbourne.
  2. Hillier, L., Turner, A., Mitchell, A., (2005) Writing themselves in againAustralian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria.
  3. Leahy, D., Horne, R. & Harrison, L., (2004) BassCoastSexuality Education Report: Needs Analysis & PD Evaluation, Deakin University, Melbourne Victoria, 2004.
  4. Lindsay, J., Smith, A.M.A. & Rosenthal, D.A. (1997) Secondary Students HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health 1997, Monograph Series No.3, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria.

Links Providing Supporting Research Evidence