The Role of Formal Education in Advancing the Goal of Reproductive Justice: A Case for Comprehensive Sexual Education in Ontario
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Authors
Austin, Alyssa
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Reproductive autonomy , Reproductive justice , Education , Sexual health , Ontario , Thematic analysis
Alternative Title
Abstract
Equitable access to formal education relating to human development and sexual health is integral in achieving reproductive justice at community and provincial levels. Reproductive justice is an important social goal as it provides a framework within which individuals can exercise autonomy over their reproductive and procreative capacities. These individuals can make informed decisions that align with their own goals and desires, absent of the influence of friends, family, policy, or healthcare workers. Formal education is one of the first introductions to topics of human development and sexual health for young people.
The case of Ontario is unique in that the topic of health and physical education has been in the political landscape for over a decade while the social perspectives of sexual education have remained relatively unchanged. The current research project seeks to evaluate the extent to which formal health and physical education in Ontario promotes the development of reproductive autonomy, with a focus on the potential for generating reproductive justice at the provincial level.
Through a thematic analysis and critical reading of both the elementary and secondary level curricula, it is determined that neither curriculum effectively supports the development of reproductive autonomy. The elementary curriculum includes many references to themes indicating the support of autonomy but is structured in such a way that teachers can interpret the curriculum expectations in multiple ways and parents can remove their children from instruction relating to human development and sexual health. Similarly, the secondary curriculum contains indications of supporting autonomy, but this conclusion cannot be made as only one course of the seven offered at the secondary level is mandatory. As a result, most students will likely not encounter those topics.
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ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States