A philosophical study of values and valuing in sexuality education.

摘要

The enthusiasm for a positivistic approach to sexuality education has begun to subside. Recognizing that sexuality is more than a biological phenomenon, and that education is more than just information, sexuality educators throughout North America are now acknowledging the importance of values. There are two problems, however, with the philosophical orientation on values within the literature. The first problem is the pervasive view that teachers should remain neutral to facilitate value clarification. The commitment to neutrality is often based on an appreciation and respect for pluralism, on the subjective nature of values, and on the integrity of persons. The commitment to neutrality, however, confuses pluralism with relativism, subjectivity with subjectivism, and integrity with validity.; The second problem is the conceptualization of sexual-values education as a solution to problems like unwanted teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. This view of sexuality education reduces education to schooling, valuing to decision-making, and sexuality to problems arising from coitus. It evaluates the success of educational efforts according to strictly utilitarian criteria. In this thesis, sexual-values education is reconceptualized as a life-long process, and a successful sexual-values education is redefined by its capacity to be celebrational, hospitable, meaningful, and life-enhancing.