Knowing sex: Formal and informal sex education.
Date
1994
Authors
Murray, Priscilla Ann.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Dalhousie University
Abstract
Description
What is the role of formal sex education? What is the need and what is the possibility?
This thesis claims that the knowledge which we have of the world, of ourselves and of others and therefore our knowledge of sexuality, can be usefully explored by reference to empirical, social, critical and ethical forms of knowledge. This classification provides a way of questioning and of understanding the ideas and practices which constitute our knowledge and which shape our lives and it provides a framework in relation to which educators, and more specifically sex educators, can think about and evaluate curriculum.
The role of each of these forms of knowledge in our lives is discussed in detail, with particular reference to our knowledge of sexuality. It is argued that a sex education curriculum which emphasizes the teaching of information and skills so that students will be able to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies and from sexually transmitted disease does not constitute a comprehensive sex education programme. The understandings of sexuality which are conveyed through discourse, and which can be identified and challenged by a critical perspective, are examined; and the claim that there is a need for the development of a critical and an ethical understanding in relation to issues of sexuality is supported.
The way that formal sex education might usefully be understood in relation to empirical, social, critical and ethical forms of knowledge and in relation to the informal sex education which is learned by individuals as they grow up within a social setting is explored and a critically based sexuality curriculum is proposed.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Dalhousie University (Canada), 1994.
This thesis claims that the knowledge which we have of the world, of ourselves and of others and therefore our knowledge of sexuality, can be usefully explored by reference to empirical, social, critical and ethical forms of knowledge. This classification provides a way of questioning and of understanding the ideas and practices which constitute our knowledge and which shape our lives and it provides a framework in relation to which educators, and more specifically sex educators, can think about and evaluate curriculum.
The role of each of these forms of knowledge in our lives is discussed in detail, with particular reference to our knowledge of sexuality. It is argued that a sex education curriculum which emphasizes the teaching of information and skills so that students will be able to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies and from sexually transmitted disease does not constitute a comprehensive sex education programme. The understandings of sexuality which are conveyed through discourse, and which can be identified and challenged by a critical perspective, are examined; and the claim that there is a need for the development of a critical and an ethical understanding in relation to issues of sexuality is supported.
The way that formal sex education might usefully be understood in relation to empirical, social, critical and ethical forms of knowledge and in relation to the informal sex education which is learned by individuals as they grow up within a social setting is explored and a critically based sexuality curriculum is proposed.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Dalhousie University (Canada), 1994.
Keywords
Education, Health.