Teaching Human Sexuality in Social Work: The Neglected Curriculum

Abstract

The article develops a case for the teaching of human sexuality within the social work curriculum on the grounds that it is a central part of life, that sexual functioning in one way or another affects everyone, and that social workers have to deal with problems and issues in this area for which they have little training. The objectives, content, and specific teaching methodologies used in the elective Human Sexuality and Social Work Practice at the School of Social Work, University of New South Wales are outlined. It is further argued that a special approach to the teaching of this subject is of equal importance to the content itself. Finally, the author hopes this article will break the apparent ‘conspiracy of silence’ surrounding the need to acknowledge that social work needs special courses on human sexuality in professional schools in this country.