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Master of Science / Department of Programs in General Human Ecology / Karen S. Myers-Bowman / The alarming incidence of sex-related health problems among American adolescents has health educators searching for effective curricula-based programs aiming at behavioral changes. Such desire and urgent need to find or create programs and curricula that work have generated different approaches, philosophies, and educational strategies. However, this also may have produced a number of programs that have not benefited from a careful and thorough evaluation: neither evaluation of content, message, and cognitive and/or behavioral effect. The focus of this paper is on the curricula utilized in sexuality health programs in middle and high schools. Questions arise about the impact of these programs. Currently, abstinence-based programs are the only ones funded by the government. Research data does not convincingly show that abstinence-only sexuality education significantly decreases the number of adolescents engaging in sexual intercourse prior to marriage. This paper attempts to review current research about abstinence and comprehensive curricula. I begin by discussing the different approaches and their supporters. The importance of adolescent development and theory will be incorporated into my review. Effectiveness of each approach, as well as evaluation studies will be examined. From this review, I composed my own assessment of one abstinence-based curriculum and one comprehensive based curriculum.

The aim of this study is to examine if early preventive work, focusing on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), can promote a decreasing need for future social work. Furthermore, the purpose is to examine preschool as a context for this kind of work, and whether students becoming preschool teachers experience that they have received adequate knowledge about SRHR. More importantly this also includes their perceived ability to pass the knowledge on to the preschool children. The study has a qualitative approach and is based on semi structured interviews with four students from two different university studying to preschool teachers. Earlier studies and the empirical result both display a lack of knowledge and interventions concerning SRHR from a broad perspective. Reasons for this includes the belief that the subject is taboo or not age appropriate. This eventuates in teachers not having the right tools how to handle situation concerning this area. Earlier research in this area is sparse, but it exist a demand from preschool teachers on how to provide an age adequate, curricula-based, comprehensive sexuality education. However, both this study and earlier research also show a positive potential of SRHR starting to become a prioritized topic in earlier ages. After all, the knowledge about SRHR is a human right for all the kids.

Child sexual abuse is rampant in Zimbabwe. This can be attributed to several Zimbabwean ecosystemic factors that contribute to the gravity of the problem. This study explored these ecosystemic factors that affect Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in Zimbabwe to determine appropriate strategies to apply so that CSE could be successfully be provided to early grade children in Zimbabwe. This qualitative study used an interpretivist paradigm which was underpinned by the ontological assumption that reality is not objectively determined, but socially constructed. In this study, a case study design was utilised, embracing a semi-structured interview and document analysis as data-gathering instruments. This study was informed by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theoretical framework. The main research question of the study was: What ecosystemic factors play a role in Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Zimbabwean schools? The secondary research questions were also as follows:  What are the teachers’ views and perceptions of teaching CSE in early grades?  How will parents perceive the introduction of CSE in the early grades?  In what way will the religious leaders perceive the introduction of CSE in the early grades as positive?  What are the cultural factors that impact on the teaching of CSE in early grades?  How do religious factors impact on the teaching of CSE in the early grades? The participants were ten early grade teachers, ten parents with children in early grades and five religious leaders. The study revealed that CSE was not taught to early grade children due to several ecosystemic factors. There is no CSE curriculum for early grade children in Zimbabwe. The teachers are uncomfortable to teach the subject because of the diverse cultural and religious beliefs of the Zimbabweans. Some churches believe CSE defiles innocent children. Their doctrines prevent other churches from teaching EMC to children before they reach the age of 14. The study recommended the development of CSE for early grades by teachers in conjunction with parents and religious leaders and the training of teachers to change their attitude towards the teaching of the subject as well as to provide them with appropriate content and teaching strategies. The provision of teaching and learning resources on CSE for teachers and early grade learners was also recommended. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Early Childhood Education / PhD / Unrestricted

Yes / Adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) remains a challenge globally. High school youths without comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) are more likely to engage in high risk sexual behaviors than their peers in schools with CSE. Fiji continues to have very poor adolescents SRH indicators. This study aimed to gauge the perceptions of students towards the delivery of SRH education in schools in Fiji. A qualitative study design was used to collect data from students in year 11-13 in public secondary schools in Suva, Fiji in 2018. Schools with equal ethnic mix were selected. A semi-structured open-ended questionnaire was used to guide Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). A male research facilitator conducted FGD with males while a female research facilitator facilitated that amongst the females. Data collected was analyzed thematically. Seven FGDs were conducted. A total of 46 students (29 males) participated with the age range from 17-19 years old. Eight themes emerged: current SRH education; students' knowledge on adverse consequences of SRH; sources of SRH information; need for sex education; provision of SRH education in schools; characteristics of teachers of SRH education; age-appropriate incremental sex education; and ideal version of SRH. The study shows that Fijian students desired a lot more from sex education than what is currently offered for sexual decision-making. There is a need for mandatory and comprehensive sex education for young people.

Sexuality education is a fundamental children's right, women’s right and overall human right that has not been successfully implemented in primary, secondary, or higher education throughout the globe. Sexuality education promotes children, adolescents, and teenagers safety exploring their sexuality and developing their attitudes, values, and skills. A literature review was conducted that indicates there is a gap of knowledge between sexual ethics in relation to comprehensive sexuality education and holistic sexuality education. The purpose of this study is to gain understanding of comprehensive sexuality education and holistic sexuality education by comparing vertically, horizontally, and traversally three guidelines on three levels, global, regional, and national. Critical and feminist theory are frameworks in qualitative research methods implemented in the thesis to thematically analyze secondary data throughout UNESCO International Technical Guidance on sexuality education, WHO Standards for Sexuality Education in Europe, and SIECUS’s Guidelines for CSE in USA. The results found that from an intersectional feminist perspective, learning about consent and setting boundaries is essential for the promotion of holistic sexuality education thats overcomes the limitations of comprehensive sexuality education and empowers youth to explore their sexuality further. Therefore, basing sexual ethics as a foundation for holistic sexuality education with an overarching goal of global implementation can challenging due to existing social structures and power imbalances. The advocacy and awareness of holistic sexuality education is crucial in order to for youth to access their children’s rights and human rights. This thesis advocates for sexual ethics and intimate citizenship as main pillars of sexuality and holistic sexuality education through consent and respecting boundaries.