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ERIC Number: EJ1236660
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1468-1811
EISSN: N/A
Reasons Students at a US University Do or Do Not Enrol in a Human Sexuality Course
King, Bruce M.; Scott, Alexandra E.; Van Doorn, Elizabeth M.; Abele, Emily E.; McDevitt, Meredith E.
Sex Education: Sexuality, Society and Learning, v20 n1 p101-109 2020
In this exploratory study, students at a US university were asked about their motivations for enrolling or not enrolling in a human sexuality course. Questionnaires were given to 617 undergraduate students enrolled in a human sexuality course and to 169 final-year students who had not taken the course. The top five reasons students gave for enrolling were: (1) it seemed more interesting than other courses; (2) friends recommended it; (3) it met an academic requirement; (4) easy 'A'; and (5) other courses were full. The first reason for enrolling specific to desiring knowledge of sexuality was ranked sixth. Although the sexuality course has never limited enrolment, only a small percentage of undergraduates choose to take the course. The top five reasons that graduating seniors had not enrolled were: (1) could not work it into their schedule; (2) not interested; (3) not aware of the course; (4) already knew enough about sexuality; and (5) it did not fill a requirement. When some incongruent responses were eliminated, the primary reason for not enrolling was 'not interested.' The results indicate that sex educators should not assume that most college students want classroom-taught sexuality education. Suggestions are provided that may help increase interest.
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: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A