Faith or Falsehoods: Christianity’s Influence on Sex Education
Faculty Sponsor(s)
Amy Orr
Location
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
Subject Area
Sociology
Description
Religion has been a crucial part of societies since the beginning, which has allowed it to become ingrained in many areas of social life. Education has also managed to affect society.
One subject where these two institutions intertwine is sexual education. There is much controversy regarding how/if sex education should be taught (Young, 2017; Fields, 2012; Lamb, 2013). This topic gets increasingly heated when religion is introduced (Taragin-Zeller & Kasstan, 2021; Bijelic, 2008).
The aim of this study is to examine how religious institutions effect the teaching of sex education, focusing specifically on the Christian faith and its influences.
By investigating religious and secular organization’s websites, it was found that religious organizations focused on abortion, prioritized family, and heavily focused on religion rather than educating about sex topics. Secular organizations provided more medical resources, did not address opposing arguments, and pushed the selling of educational programs.
This research shines a spotlight on some of the power structures in our society and how they are influencing institutions’ as well as individuals’ decisions. Hopefully, by pointing this out, people will examine their opinions more closely and improve social policy, like sex education, to make it more inclusive.
Recommended Citation
Pillon, Maya, "Faith or Falsehoods: Christianity’s Influence on Sex Education" (2022). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 27.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2022/all/27
Faith or Falsehoods: Christianity’s Influence on Sex Education
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
Religion has been a crucial part of societies since the beginning, which has allowed it to become ingrained in many areas of social life. Education has also managed to affect society.
One subject where these two institutions intertwine is sexual education. There is much controversy regarding how/if sex education should be taught (Young, 2017; Fields, 2012; Lamb, 2013). This topic gets increasingly heated when religion is introduced (Taragin-Zeller & Kasstan, 2021; Bijelic, 2008).
The aim of this study is to examine how religious institutions effect the teaching of sex education, focusing specifically on the Christian faith and its influences.
By investigating religious and secular organization’s websites, it was found that religious organizations focused on abortion, prioritized family, and heavily focused on religion rather than educating about sex topics. Secular organizations provided more medical resources, did not address opposing arguments, and pushed the selling of educational programs.
This research shines a spotlight on some of the power structures in our society and how they are influencing institutions’ as well as individuals’ decisions. Hopefully, by pointing this out, people will examine their opinions more closely and improve social policy, like sex education, to make it more inclusive.
