Date of Award

Summer 8-3-2017

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Department

Anthropology

First Advisor

Cassandra White PhD

Abstract

The prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continues to be a significant challenge to public health in the United States. While educational institutions, health professionals, and community outreach programs have helped the rates of transmission on local, national, and global scales, we are still seeing a rise in contraction and spreading of these infections. Half of these STI cases are from individuals ages 15 -24 years of age. For that reason, we must explore why this age group has the highest cases of STI rates (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], Sexually Transmitted Disease Transmission 2015). The focus of this project is to explore the relationship between sex education programs in Georgia public schools and their contribution to rise in STIs in this state. Here I argue that the curriculum of these programs affect students in numerous ways through teaching concepts, curriculum choices, romanticized ideology of sex, scare and shame tactics, and inaccurate information. With the consideration of these factors and student testimony, the sex education programs’ contribution to the high rates of STIs in Georgia are assessed.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/10596210

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