Thesis
"This is how you hetero": sexual minorities in heteronormative sex education
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2017
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/101512
Abstract
The efficacy of current sex education has been questioned, as high school students participate in high rates of unsafe sex after completing sex education. Further, by not exploring various sexual minority (SM) identities and associated forms of sex, sex education may be especially unhelpful for SM students by perpetuating the heteronormative (i.e., assuming heterosexuality is normal) environment that SMs typically experience. Therefore, this exclusive experience could contribute to poor outcomes in SMs due to not educating SMs on safe sex practices while concurrently promoting the development of internalized self-stigma. In contrast, being in an inclusive, nonheteronormative educational setting could provide an adaptive environment for SMs leading to positive identity development and improved health due to having increased access to information and resources. In the present qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with SMs (n = 12) regarding their experiences with sex education in elementary, middle, and high school, using a grounded theory approach for analysis. Participants expressed their sex education to be heteronormative and exclusive of their identities, making them feel invisible, sexually unprepared, and internally shameful. Their sex education also reportedly contributed to sexual hesitation, sexual violence, and risky sexual behaviors with same sex partners. Participants endorsed histories of mental illness, including depression, anxiety, and suicidality, often associated with their sexual identity and related experiences. In order to feel more informed and sexually prepared, they sought information through conversations with friends, online searching, and college courses. They also advocated for inclusive sex education in the future, which would incorporate all identities and safe sex practices so that all students in the classroom are properly informed. Participants described that inclusive education could lead to various improved outcomes, such as safer sex, a sense of community, identity confidence, healthy relationships, and resilience.
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Details
- Title
- "This is how you hetero"
- Creators
- Steven Hobaica
- Contributors
- Paul Kwon (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Psychology, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525135501842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis