I spent this past semester working with Dr. Clare Daniel, as we progressed towards IRB approval for a survey regarding the level of sexual health education presented in Louisiana public schools. Over the semester, I gathered data on the best point of contact at every public school in Louisiana, who we will reach out to with the survey once we get complete approval! Alongside this task, I began creating a literature review regarding sexual health education in both Louisiana and the United States, and I’m learning more about sex ed than I ever thought was possible.
It was shocking to discover that Louisiana had no requirements towards sex ed in the public school system, and if a school chose to discuss these matters, they were required to push abstinence. The use and distribution of contraceptives (such as condoms) is to be seen as a secondary method of prevention, and there is to be no display or discussion of homosexual sexual activity. These restrictions on sex ed hurt students as they proceed through their adolescent years, because they are left to learn everything on their own, which is not always the best way to acquire knowledge. Education is an incredibly valuable tool that is not being completely utilized in the public school system here (in terms of sex ed), and I strongly believe there’s room for improvement.
As we move closer to getting IRB approval, I await the results we will receive from the survey as a whole. Until then, I’m excited to continue researching sex ed throughout the summer!