Skirting the Issue: Teachers’ Experiences “Addressing Sexuality in Middle School Language Arts”

Abstract

The goal of this study was to examine perceptions, attitudes, and reported practices of a group of middle level Language Arts teachers concerning sexuality-related issues. Through interviews with 15 teachers, the study found that sexuality was in one sense pervasive, as it came up frequently in the teachers’ practice. Yet at the same time the teachers worked hard to avoid the topic of sexuality, even if they believed discussion of sexuality issues could be beneficial. We found a benefit-risk tension that some of the teachers faced on a regular basis, as they struggled with the question of whether directly addressing sexuality was worth the risk. The teachers’ testimonies illustrate the extent to which they repress discussion of sexuality. However, because many of the teachers believed in a more direct approach with students, the findings indicate that small changes, such as breaking the silence around sexuality in teacher education and among school faculty and staff, might make a significant positive difference.