Master of Education Research Theses
Date of Successful Defense
9-15-2009
Date Degree Awarded
2009
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
School/Department
Education
Advisor
Michael W. Firmin, Ph.D.
Keywords
comprehensive sex ed, abstinence, social hygiene, sexual revolution
Abstract
This thesis explored the history of American public school sex education since 1900. It identified key points in sex education development. Six historical events were highlighted: (1) The social hygiene and the birth control movements, (2) research by Alfred Kinsey, (3) the sexual revolution, (4) creation of SIECUS, (5) the discovery of AIDS and, 6) the reform of the welfare system. An interpretation of these factors suggested: (1) countercultural voices of previous eras have become the dominant voices in current sex education, (2) the philosophical development of “comprehensive” sex education was linked to a personal justification of unconventional sexual behaviors, (3) inserting “science” within the sex education debate usually meant “change” of the status quo, (4) the progressive era of the early 1900s may be reinventing itself. Parents, policymakers, and educators can use this study to design a message that helps teens avoid all risks related to sexual activity.
DOI
10.15385/tmed.2009.4
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Huber, Valerie, "A Historical Analysis of Public School Sex Education in America Since 1900" (2009). Master of Education Research Theses. 21.
https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/education_theses/21
