The Impact of Comprehensive Sex Education on Adolescents' Understanding and Prevention of Sexual Violence
Keywords:
Sex Education, Adolescents, Sexual Violence, Knowledge and Attitudes, Cultural SensitivityAbstract
This study investigates the impact of comprehensive sex education on adolescents' understanding, attitudes, and behaviors related to sexual violence. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to assess changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among adolescents who participated in a structured sex education program. The findings reveal that comprehensive sex education significantly improves students' knowledge about sexual violence and consent, fosters more positive and respectful attitudes, and leads to reductions in risky and coercive sexual behaviors. The study also highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity and inclusivity in program design, noting that tailoring education to diverse cultural contexts enhances its effectiveness. However, challenges such as inconsistencies in curriculum delivery, cultural and social barriers, resource constraints, and the need for continuous program evaluation are identified as limitations that impact the success of sex education initiatives. The research underscores the need for ongoing investment and refinement of sex education programs to address these challenges and ensure equitable access and effectiveness. The study contributes to the broader understanding of how sex education can play a crucial role in preventing sexual violence and promoting healthy relationships among adolescents.
References
Andari, I. D., Woro, O., & Yuniastuti, A. (2019). The effect of knowledge, attitude, and parents behavior towards sex education parents with sexual violence incident. Public Health Perspective Journal, 4(2).
Breuner, C. C., Mattson, G., Adolescence, C. on, Health, C. on P. A. of C. and F., Breuner, C. C., Adelman, W. P., Alderman, E. M., Garofalo, R., Marcell, A. V, & Powers, M. E. (2016). Sexuality education for children and adolescents. Pediatrics, 138(2), e20161348.
Briggs, M., Grella, L., Burton, T. A., Yarmuth, M., & Taylor, T. (2012). Understanding and engaging key influencers of youth in high-risk urban communities: A review of the literature. Social Marketing Quarterly, 18(3), 203–220.
Charny, I. W. (2019). Strategies against violence: design for nonviolent change. Routledge.
Crooks, C. V, Goodall, G. R., Hughes, R., Jaffe, P. G., & Baker, L. L. (2007). Engaging men and boys in preventing violence against women: Applying a cognitive–behavioral model. Violence against Women, 13(3), 217–239.
Erkut, S., Grossman, J. M., Frye, A. A., Ceder, I., Charmaraman, L., & Tracy, A. J. (2013). Can sex education delay early sexual debut? The Journal of Early Adolescence, 33(4), 482–497.
Fields, J. (2008). Risky lessons: Sex education and social inequality. Rutgers University Press.
Hofmann, S. G., & Asmundson, G. J. G. (2017). The science of cognitive behavioral therapy. Academic Press.
Jina, R., & Thomas, L. S. (2013). Health consequences of sexual violence against women. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 27(1), 15–26.
Jordan, C. E., Campbell, R., & Follingstad, D. (2010). Violence and women’s mental health: the impact of physical, sexual, and psychological aggression. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 6(1), 607–628.
Lind, G. (2016). How to teach morality: promoting deliberation and discussion, reducing violence and deceit. Logos Verlag Berlin GmbH.
Lundgren, R., & Amin, A. (2015). Addressing intimate partner violence and sexual violence among adolescents: emerging evidence of effectiveness. Journal of Adolescent Health, 56(1), S42–S50.
Malti, T., Peplak, J., & Zhang, L. (2020). The development of respect in children and adolescents. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 85(3), 7–99.
Mann, R. E., Beech, A. R., Ward, T., Laws, D. R., & Hudson, S. M. (2002). Cognitive distortions, schemas, and implicit theories. Sexual Deviance: Issues, Theories and Treatment, 135–153.
Martella, R. C., Nelson, J. R., Marchand-Martella, N. E., & Mark, O. (2011). Comprehensive behavior management: Individualized, classroom, and schoolwide approaches. Sage Publications.
Moore, S. M., & Rosenthal, D. A. (2007). Sexuality in adolescence: Current trends. routledge.
Ollis, D., Coll, L., & Harrison, L. (2019). Negotiating sexuality education with young people: Ethical pitfalls and provocations. American Journal of Sexuality Education, 14(2), 186–202.
Payton, J. W., Wardlaw, D. M., Graczyk, P. A., Bloodworth, M. R., Tompsett, C. J., & Weissberg, R. P. (2000). Social and emotional learning: A framework for promoting mental health and reducing risk behavior in children and youth. Journal of School Health, 70(5), 179–185.
Robbins, C. L., & Ott, M. A. (2017). Contraception options and provision to adolescents.
Rosenthal, T. L., & Zimmerman, B. J. (2014). Social learning and cognition. Academic Press.
Shafer, K. S., & Silverman, M. J. (2013). Applying a social learning theoretical framework to music therapy as a prevention and intervention for bullies and victims of bullying. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 40(5), 495–500.
Yurgelun-Todd, D. (2007). Emotional and cognitive changes during adolescence. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 17(2), 251–257.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Ailsie Adriella Maranatha

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.