Keywords

sex, education, florida, abstinence, contraception, hiv, std, sexually transmitted infection, pregnancy, abortion, teen

Abstract

Sex education policies and programs in Florida are largely dominated by the abstinence-only approach. This paper makes the case that abstinence-only education is a failing policy in Florida, and evaluates strategies advocates may use in order to accomplish reform. Three different strategies are evaluated: countywide school district reform, statewide rejection of federal abstinence-only funding, and statewide standardization of sex education via legislation. Contrasts are drawn between all three strategies with regard to their potential impact on sex education policy in Florida, viability, and the challenges they present to advocates. This paper concludes that statewide standardization of sex education in Florida represents the best way to remedy the problem of insufficient sex education, but is unlikely to occur without increased bipartisan support in the Florida legislature. Statewide rejection of Title V federal abstinence-only funds remains an important policy goal for the purpose of accomplishing an end to federal abstinence grants but would likely achieve very little for Florida's students. Countywide sex education changes are thus far the only substantive victory for sex education advocates in Florida and should be instituted across the state with advocates taking special care to engage teachers, medical professionals, parents and local community leaders.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2008

Advisor

Fine, Terri

Degree

Master of Arts (M.A.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Political Science

Degree Program

Political Science

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0002259

URL

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0002259

Language

English

Release Date

September 2008

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

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