Information about human sexuality: sources,satisfaction, and perceived knowledge among college students |
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| Authors: | Scott Edward Rutledge Darcy Clay Siebert Jill Chonody Michael Killian |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Social Work, Temple University , Philadelphia , PA , USA srutled@temple.edu;3. Rutgers University School of Social Work , New Brunswick , NJ , USA;4. School of Psychology, Social Work and Social Policy, University of South Australia , Magill , Australia;5. Florida State University College of Social Work , Tallahassee , FL , USA |
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| Abstract: | This study explored how 333 undergraduate and graduate students attending a large university in the southeastern USA learned about sex, their satisfaction with how they learned about sex, and their self-perceived knowledge before and after taking a human sexuality course. An anonymous, voluntary survey was administered to students in the first and last sessions of human sexuality classes each semester from fall 2004 until spring 2006. Standardized measures included how students learned about sex, satisfaction with ways they learned about sex, barriers to parent–child discussions, and self-perceived knowledge about sex. Although 67% of students indicated parents should be instrumental in sex education, only 15% indicated parents as a primary source. Thirty-seven percent reported some level of dissatisfaction with how they learned about sex. Self-perceived knowledge increased significantly following the course. College courses addressing sexuality as integral to human development should complement college programming that focuses on risk reduction for sexually transmitted diseases/infections, sexual assault, and unintended pregnancy. |
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