From I to we: Sex education as a form of civics education in a neoliberal context

This research explores the question of how a sex education curriculum can be a form of civics education, moving students from a discourse of personal responsibility to a discourse that represents a “we” voice and takes into consideration not only the other person but society. In two 8-week classes delivered in a charter school to a racially and ethnically diverse group of ninth graders, an individualized neoliberal discourse met up against critical consciousness around an ethic of care regarding sex in relationship and sex in society. Current evidence-based sex education programs are health- and risk-focused, necessitating an approach that emphasizes individual choice and self-care. In this paper we explore several ethical dialogues that occurred during classroom discussions of consent, coercion and media objectification. Through a discourse analysis, we explore the positions of students regarding sex education topics as they sometimes adhere to a neoliberal perspective of choice and sometimes adopt a “we” voice with regard to society and social change.