Article,
Sex education in rural schools in the United States: impact of rural educators' community identities
Sex Education, 8 (1): 77-92 (February 2008)M3: Article; Accession Number: 28605082; Blinn-Pike, Lynn 1; Email Address: lpike@iupui.edu; Affiliation: 1: Department of Sociology, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, Indiana; Source Info: Feb2008, Vol. 8 Issue 1, p77; Subject Term: SEX instruction; Subject Term: HYGIENE, Sexual; Subject Term: RURAL schools; Subject Term: SEX; Subject Term: RELIGIOUSNESS; Subject Term: EDUCATION; Subject Term: TEACHERS; Subject Term: UNITED States; NAICS/Industry Codes: 611699 All Other Miscellaneous Schools and Instruction; NAICS/Industry Codes: 611710 Educational Support Services; NAICS/Industry Codes: 923110 Administration of Education Programs; Number of Pages: 16p; Illustrations: 1 chart; Document Type: Article.
Abstract
Purpose: The overall purpose of this exploratory research was to better understand rural educators' feelings about school-based sex education in order to foster better communication and collaboration between prevention researchers and rural teachers and administrators. In order to accomplish this purpose, the research question asked 'How does perceived community identity influence rural educators' decisions regarding school-based sex education?' Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 24 high school educators in four rural counties in the southern part of the United States about how alike and different urban and rural teachers and administrators are in their decisions about sex education in their schools. The interview data were categorized according to their perceptions of similarities and differences between rural and urban teachers and administrators. Results: Rural educators believed that rural and urban educators were alike because of a common concern for students and the common issue of community involvement in decisions related to school-based sex education. Rural educators believed that rural and urban educators were different because of greater religiosity in rural communities; greater scrutiny of administrators' decisions by the church, school board, and community; and greater physical proximity and emotional closeness between rural educators and their students. Conclusion: With a better understanding of rural educators' perceived community identities, prevention researchers will be able to develop closer collaborations with schools on strategies to prevent high-risk sexual behaviors among rural adolescents. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR; Copyright of Sex Education is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts)
Tags
- education;
- hygiene,
- instruction;
- religiousness;
- rural
- schools;
- sex
- sex;
- sexual;
- states
- teachers;
- united
