Teacher training in sexuality education in Australia: how well are teachers prepared for the job?
Marina Carman A , Anne Mitchell A , Marisa Schlichthorst A B and Anthony Smith A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Level 2, 215 Franklin Street, Melbourne, Vic. 3000, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: M.Schlichthorst@latrobe.edu.au
Sexual Health 8(3) 269-271 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH10126
Submitted: 30 September 2010 Accepted: 26 February 2011 Published: 23 May 2011
References
[1] Rissel CE, Richers J, Grulich AE, de Visser RO, Smith AMA. Sex in Australia: first experiences of vaginal intercourse and oral sex among a representative sample of adults. Aust N Z J Public Health 2003; 27 131–7.| Sex in Australia: first experiences of vaginal intercourse and oral sex among a representative sample of adults.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[2] Agius PA, Dyson S, Pitts MK, Mitchell A, Smith A. Two steps forward and one step back? Australian secondary students’ sexual health knowledge and behaviours 1992–2002. J Adolesc Health 2006; 38 247–52.
| Two steps forward and one step back? Australian secondary students’ sexual health knowledge and behaviours 1992–2002.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[3] Department of Health and Ageing. Young people and STIs. Canberra: Australian Government; 2009. Available online at: http://www.sti.health.gov.au/internet/sti/publishing.nsf/Content/young [verified February 2011].
[4] United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). International technical guidance on sexuality education: an evidence-informed approach for schools, teachers and health educators. Paris: UNESCO; 2009.
[5] Kirby D. The impact of schools and school programs upon adolescent sexual behaviour. J Sex Res 2002; 39 27–33.
| The impact of schools and school programs upon adolescent sexual behaviour.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[6] Kohler PK, Manhart LE, Lafferty WE. Abstinence-only and comprehensive sex education and the initiation of sexual activity and teen pregnancy. J Adolesc Health 2008; 42 344–51.
| Abstinence-only and comprehensive sex education and the initiation of sexual activity and teen pregnancy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[7] Mueller TE, Gavin LE, Kulkarni A. The association between sex education and youth’s engagement in sexual intercourse, age at first intercourse, and birth control use at first sex J Adolesc Health 2008; 42 89–96.
| The association between sex education and youth’s engagement in sexual intercourse, age at first intercourse, and birth control use at first sexCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[8] Weaver H, Smith G, Kippax S. School-based sex education policies and indicators of sexual health among young people: a comparison of the Netherlands, France, Australia and the United States Sex Educ 2005; 5 171–88.
| School-based sex education policies and indicators of sexual health among young people: a comparison of the Netherlands, France, Australia and the United StatesCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[9] Aggleton P, Oliver C, Rivers K. Reducing the rate of teenage conceptions: the implications of research into young people, sex, sexuality and relationships . London: Health Education Authority; 1998.
[10] Abel G, Fitzgerald L. When you come to it you feel like a dork asking a guy to put a condom on: is sex education addressing young people’s understandings of risk? Sex Educ 2006; 6 105–19.
| When you come to it you feel like a dork asking a guy to put a condom on: is sex education addressing young people’s understandings of risk?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[11] Smith A, Agius P, Dyson S, Mitchell A, Pitts M. Secondary students and sexual health 2008: report of the findings from the 4th national survey of Australian secondary students, HIV/AIDS and sexual health. Melbourne: Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society; 2009.
[12] Ofsted Report. Sex and relationships. London: Office of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Schools; 2002.
[13] Sinkinson M. Sexuality isn’t just about sex: pre-service teachers shifting constructs of sexuality education. Sex Educ 2009; 9 421–36.
| Sexuality isn’t just about sex: pre-service teachers shifting constructs of sexuality education.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[14] Wight D, Buston K. Meeting needs but not changing goals: evaluation of in-service teacher training for sex education. Oxf Rev Educ 2003; 29 521–43.
| Meeting needs but not changing goals: evaluation of in-service teacher training for sex education.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[15] McKay A, Barrett M. Pre-service sexual health education training of elementary, secondary, and physical health education teachers in Canadian faculties of education. Can J Hum Sex 1999; 8 91–101.
[16] Rodriguez M, Young R, Renfro S, Ascencio M, Haffner D. Teaching our teachers to teach: a SIECUS study on training and preparation for HIV/AIDS prevention and sexuality education. New York: Sexuality, Information and Education Council of the United States; 1996.
[17] Rosenthal D, Haste B, Mitchell A, Ollis D. Teaching about hepatitis C: a national survey of secondary teachers. Melbourne: Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society; 2000.
[18] Smith A, Schlichthorst M, Mitchell A, Walsh J, Lyons A, Blackman P, et al. Sexuality education in Australian secondary schools 2010. Melbourne: Australian Research Centre in Sex Health and Society, La Trobe University; 2011.