Health promotion, well-being and morality: School-based sex education in British Columbia

Considering the current demands for better sex education in British Columbia (B.C.), this thesis presents a documentary analysis of the sex education material provided to teachers, analyzing the meanings and values about sexuality presented in the material and examining the relations of power that produce these discourses. The research findings indicate that although health promotion is said to be the number one priority of sex education programs, morality guides what appears in the resources. Students learn to consider their sexuality and sexed bodies in terms of protection, danger and preparation for reproduction, and the material presents heterosexual, cisgender bodies as the norm. However, discussions of gender diversity, consent and students' sexual agency suggest that feminist views and B.C. organizations that advocate for better sexual health education have influenced the discourses and expanded definitions of what is normal and possible in regard to sexuality.