Psychology Faculty Publications

A History of Sex Education in the United States Since 1900

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Winter 2014

Journal Title

International Journal of Education Reform

Volume

23

Issue

1

First Page

25

Last Page

51

Abstract

We provide a historical perspective toward the current public school practices of American sex education. The primary time frame includes the progressive era (1880-1920), intermediate era (1920-1960), the sexual revolution era (1960s and 1970s), and the modern sex education era (1980s to present). In each period, we highlight key developments that affect educators' current decision making as public sex education continues to develop and morph in the context of contemporary society. We show that an apt understanding of sex education's past is critical for making prudent decisions about its future.

Keywords

Sex education, history

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