ERIC Number: EJ1322849
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1468-1811
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
How Should School-Based Sex Education Be Provided for Adolescents in Saudi Arabia? Views of Stakeholders
Sex Education: Sexuality, Society and Learning, v21 n6 p645-659 2021
Although sex education has been found to improve young people's sexual and reproductive health, no formal programmes exist in Saudi Arabia. This study aims to assess the views of stakeholders on the need for sex education programmes for adolescents in Saudi Arabia, suggested forms of provision, and views on the information provided in Science and Religion curricula. Twenty-eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with policy-makers, healthcare providers, teachers and religious scholars. Thematic analysis was undertaken. Unanimity was expressed on the need for school-based sex education programmes. When asked who should deliver them, stakeholders differentiated between who should be in charge of designing the programmes and who should deliver them. Tension was evident on the role of religious scholars within these two phases of implementation. The inclusion of information that might seem to 'encourage sinful' premarital sexual experience was contentious. Although scientific and religious messaging strategies were viewed as non-contradictory, opinions differed as to which messaging strategy to focus on. Information in the 2013 curricula was criticised by some as inaccurate, promoting an 'othering' of Westerner and inciting fear. However, more recent curricula have omitted several of these criticised passages and may provide an opportunity to expand the focus on sexual health-related topics within the curriculum.
Descriptors: Sex Education, Sexuality, Religious Education, Science Education, Educational Environment, Religious Factors, Islam, Western Civilization, Fear, Curriculum Development, Health Behavior, Foreign Countries, Program Content, Preschool Education, Elementary Secondary Education
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education; Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Saudi Arabia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A