Students teach sex education: introducing alternative conceptions of sexuality

Abstract

In this paper, we describe an exercise that challenges hetero-normative and sexist notions of sexuality, allowing students to envision alternative models. Research shows how active learning eases student anxiety over challenging or threatening material. After reading Jessica Fields' Risky Lessons and Waskul, Vannini, and Weisen's article entitled ‘Women and Their Clitoris’, students designed a sex education curriculum that challenges conventional methods. Beyond critiquing existing sex education models, this exercise provides a space for students to reflect on their own sex education experiences, develop their own ideas for teaching about sex and become comfortable discussing sex and sexuality with their peers. All but one of the students reported finding the activity enjoyable or interesting. More than half of students reported change in their views about sex and sex education as a result of the activity.

Keywords::

• sex education
• student involvement
• alternative models
• USA

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Sinikka Elliott and Jeanne Flavin for their helpful comments on the earlier drafts of this paper. We also thank Sarah Nell for conversations that contributed to the development of this exercise.

Notes

^1. Although the authors normally advocate dividing students into groups to avoid students seeking out those most like themselves, in this case we felt student comfort was a higher priority because of the sensitivity of the topics discussed.

^2. Although not all students were present for all three days, the authors include information from all 12 because of the small number of students. Situations where a student was not present for pre- or post-activity data collection are noted accordingly. The authors applied for, and were granted, an IRB exemption for this data collection effort because this activity was to serve as a planned and normal part of students' instruction. Students were informed that the exercise involved data collection for a research project and were told their identities would be protected, should they choose to participate. In addition, students did not receive any grades from the authors or their regular instructor for any part of the activity.