Abstract
For over a century, American sexuality education in schools has primarily focused on biomedical aspects of human sexuality and instilling traditional sexual morals in youth. This narrow focus has excluded many aspects of sexuality from the curriculum. This article identifies the conditions that permit the perpetuation of undemocratic sexuality education, and then argues for sexuality education based on democratic values. In achieving this end, the article begins with a description of traditional sexuality education practice. Next, analyses of the polarized debate about sexuality education and its educational implications are undertaken. Then, the conditions of American schooling—the physical environment, school policies, and pedagogical practices—are explored to illustrate how inhospitable schools have been to (sexuality) education based on democratic ideals. Subsequently, I argue why substantial school reform is crucial for democratic sexuality education to be possible. Finally, various possibilities of a socially and an educationally responsible sexuality education are explored.
