Journal article
The Need for Community-Responsive and Flexible Sex Ed for Historically Marginalized Youth
Sexuality research & social policy, v 20(1), pp 94-102
01 Mar 2023
PMID: 35494623
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Introduction When it is offered, sexuality education in the USA is far from standardized. While studies have explored differences in delivery and type of sexuality education across the USA, sexual and reproductive health inequities persist among historically marginalized groups (Latino/a/x, Black, African American, LGBTQ +). There is a critical need to better understand the systemic barriers to receiving effective sexuality education in these communities. Methods Participatory research methods were used in working with a community advisory board (CAB)-consisting of emerging adults and service providers from community-based organizations (CBOs) serving youth-to examine how structural barriers contribute to adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) inequities in Massachusetts. CAB meetings and semi-structured interviews were conducted in the cities of Springfield (n = 14) and Lynn (n = 9) between December 2020 and May 2021. Results Inflexible funding guidelines, a related evidence-based curricular mandate, and a lack of community-responsive sexuality education fail to meet the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of these youth. Conclusions Current evidence-based mandates must be revisited to improve young people's access to quality sexuality information in public schools. To guarantee sexuality education curricula is centered in the context of the community and population in which it is implemented, collaboration between youth-serving CBOs and school districts could improve students' overall experience and social-emotional growth by providing comprehensive, positive, and community-responsive curricula. Policy Implications Funders and programming should prioritize community responsiveness by financially supporting and developing and/or adapting evidence-based curricula to better match the community's needs, which can be completed through culture-centered training and community-based partnership.
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Details
- Title
- The Need for Community-Responsive and Flexible Sex Ed for Historically Marginalized Youth
- Creators
- Isabella Caruso - University of Massachusetts AmherstElizabeth Salerno Valdez - University of Massachusetts AmherstCamille Collins Lovell - University of Massachusetts AmherstJazmine Chan - University of Massachusetts AmherstElizabeth Beatriz - Massachusetts Department of Public HealthAline Gubrium - University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Publication Details
- Sexuality research & social policy, v 20(1), pp 94-102
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 9
- Grant note
- 1901MASRAE / Family and Youth Services Bureau in the Administration for Children and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Community Health and Prevention
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000787167300001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85128754152
- Other Identifier
- 991021895714704721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary