Date of Award
4-2008
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Sociology
First Advisor
Dr. Angela M. Moe
Second Advisor
Dr. Laura Citrin
Third Advisor
Dr. Susan Caulfield
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
This research was conceived when I acknowledged the ways in which women of my generation have been educated about their bodies and about their sexuality. In a review of the literature on adolescent female sexuality, there is substantial evidence to suggest that in regards to early female sex education, adolescent sexuality is linked with danger, victimization, and passivity. Accordingly, it is asserted that these understandings of female sexuality disallow young girls to see themselves as initiators and decision-makers thus compromising their development of sexual subjectivity and responsibility in adulthood.
Data for this project were collected through ten semi-structured interviews with women between the ages of 18 and 22 who were enrolled in sociology courses at the time the interviews occurred. I recruited participants for the project by going into various sociology courses and making a brief presentation; additionally, fliers were distributed inviting those who were interested in participating to contact me for an interview. Results affirm previous research in the area of adolescent female sexuality with regards to sexual education throughout the life course. This research raises additional insights related to the level of support, via education and resources, that young girls need in order to become self-informed, responsible decision makers once they reach adulthood.
Recommended Citation
Schumaker, Nicole C., "Too Little, Too Late: The Current Generation of College Women and Sexual Health Education" (2008). Masters Theses. 4094.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/4094