Speaking to a United Nations AIDS conference in 1994, then-US Surgeon General Dr. Jocelyn Elders suggested that masturbation was "part of human sexuality and, perhaps, it should be taught." After a swift public outcry, she was fired by President Clinton. Nearly three decades later, masturbation is only one of many topics that remain taboo in the sex education classes of America. Today, fights rage over everything from abstinence-only programs to the presence of contraceptives on campuses, and even the mere mentions of abortion and homosexuality are hotly debated. While some Americans favor sex education based on current sexual health information, others insist on abstinence-based approaches—if at all. Thus, sex education here varies widely from state to state, even county to county. But what of the rest of the world? What are some of the approaches other countries are taking to teach (or not teach) their citizens about sexual health? What issues are other countries tackling that aren't mentioned in the American national dialogue. Finally, what, if anything, should we adopt from other countries?
Include at least two of the following in your discussion:
- "America’s Sex Education: How We Are Failing Our Students (University of Southern California Department of Nursing)
- "Swedish Sex Education has Time for Games and Mature Debate" (Guardian)
- "'Blatantly Sexist': Backlash Against South Korea's Sex Education" (Guardian)
- "Don’t Mess with My Kids: Why Argentina Still Doesn’t Have Comprehensive Sex Education (Latin America Reports)
- "Sex Ed Outside the U.S. Teaches Kids About Masturbation, Consent, and Orgasms—and It's Working (MTV News)
Required:
- Approximately 2 pages
- MLA Style, including parenthetical citation and works cited
Due: Thu 11.4-Tue 11.9 (via Canvas)
