Sex Education: Breaking Taboos within the Latino Community

Abstract

Sex education has been a pillar of education in an academic setting where students from kindergarten to high school seniors are taught the importance of sexual health and the resources available to seek medical advising and communities to talk about their concerns and questions freely. However, the Latino community lacks this communication within their families and depend on underqualified educators teaching the importance of sex education within minority schools, in this case, a public school with majority-minority students. Sex education has been a controversial conversation to have in the Latino communities largely due to the cultural norm of not speaking about this topic because it goes against their religious beliefs. With this issue, Latino parents have a complicated matter to give knowledgeable resources and medical advice without having a prejudiced view of believing their children are performing sexual acts. In many cases, Latino parents trust schools to teach and inform young Latino communities about this information. Still, in many cases, schools do not have the appropriate resources and qualified educators to teach students in the community the correct information and resources available. This highlights the low importance the state gives each school by not enforcing better information and resources to each community. This case focuses on three states' policies on how they mandate their sex education within their school districts. It also compares which state has a more assertive approach in the state that provided the necessary information for each young individual to inform themselves better and seek guidance. Most importantly, find positive solutions to improve the state of Illinois policies and expand education on sexual health within the Latino community.