Let's Have "The Talk": Deaf Sex Education

Sex education resources for the deaf are lacking. I hope to add valuable resources to help advance deaf sex education. 

[plannedparenthood]

[deafsexeducation]

Self-love is very important. I have lacked it at points in my life. You all are amazing. Be sure to be there for everyone who you love and to support them.

[plannedparenthood]

There’s so much we can do to help ensure that no one else is the victim of sexual violence — and ensuring that everyone has access to comprehensive sexual education and making sure people can access Planned Parenthood are two big steps in the right direction

Moira Pyhala, 19

When she was 15, she was raped — and didn’t know where to turn because having never received comprehensive sex ed, she didn’t know how to even think about what had happened to her and what kind of care she needed. That’s when she went to the Planned Parenthood health center just two blocks from her house. Read her story, in her own words.>>

(via plannedparenthood)

We can stop sexual violence! Help spread the word and help promote comprehensive sex education programs in schools. 

[deafsexeducation]

This is the whole article.

http://www.endabuseofpeoplewithdisabilities.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/francavillo-sexuality_education.pdf (PowerPoint summary of research from the article)

http://drum.lib.umd.edu/handle/1903/9937 (Article abstract)

Research has shown that the rate of sexual assault in the deaf community is strikingly high. Reasons for this can be lack of sexual education, lack of communication about sex within the Deaf community, substance abuse, and victim blaming, among other things. The peer reviewed article “Sexuality Education, Sexual Communication, Rape Myth Acceptance, and Sexual Assault Experience among Deaf and Hard of Hearing College Students” from the University of Maryland looks specifically at sexual assault in deaf college students. The Deaf community lacks sexual education resources and due to some members of the community having low reading levels it is hard for them to fully and clearly understand hearing sexual education resources. Additionally, schools for the deaf and deaf education programs are seriously lacking in sexual education programs, as shown by this research. Many deaf students reported not having sex education until high school (Francavillo 22). I believe that with an increase in comprehensive sexual education programs for the deaf at a younger age (middle and elementary school) we would see a decrease in sexual assault, domestic violence, victim blaming, and STI’s in the Deaf community, among other things. Moreover, these sex education programs would need to touch on not only sexual assault but also rape. 

[deafsexeducation]

It is important for victims to realize that they are not alone. With IPV victim resources lacking in the Deaf community many people can feel like they have nowhere to go and like they can’t talk about it. However, we need to be those advocates and be there for those we need us. Help raise awareness for IPV.

[deafsexeducation]

WHAT CAN WE LEARN? EXAMINING INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE SERVICE PROVISION IN THE DEAF COMMUNITY

Recent community‐based research indicates that the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) in the Deaf community exceeds known rates among hearing individuals, yet little is known about services...

*Be sure to scroll to the bottom to the page. On some computers, it may appear as if the website does not load and shows up as a white screen. This is because there is extra space at the top of the page. If you scroll to the bottom of the page the full abstract is there.*

The peer reviewed article “WHAT CAN WE LEARN? EXAMINING INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE SERVICE PROVISION IN THE DEAF COMMUNITY” by the Journal of Community Psychology stated that “[r]ecent community-based research indicates that the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) in the Deaf community exceeds known rates among hearing individuals” (Cerulli et. al 142). There are many theorized reasons for why there is a higher occurrence of domestic violence in the Deaf community. One such reason is the high rate of substance abuse in the Deaf community. This article sought to understand the services available to deaf victims of IPV in order to improve the resources available (Cerulli et. al 142). Resources to help domestic violence victims in the Deaf community are largely lacking. I believe that by having comprehensive sex education programs in deaf schools and programs for the deaf we can reduce IPV. Comprehensive sex education covers relationships and part of relationships is education about domestic violence. I think through educating deaf individuals about domestic violence we can reduce it. Additionally, resources for victims of domestic violence need to be easy to find. 

[deafsexeducation]

The is a difference between romantic and sexual attraction. This video talks about different sexualities and gender identities. I think it is important for parents to tell their children that it does not matter what their sexuality and identity are because they will be loved no matter what. However, I realize that some parents are not going to be accepting. I believe it is important for sexuality and gender identity to be explained to adolescents and children so they can understand what they are feeling and know that they are not alone or the only one feeling that way. Additionally, both sexuality and gender identity are spectrums. It is important to realize that labels are not always going to fit people and to respect peoples’ identities. This video is very good at explaining different gender identities and sexualities. It is very important for parents of deaf children and adolescents to have resources they can show them. I believe this is a great video to use as a resource.

[deafsexeducation]

Project MUSE - HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Information Sources Among Deaf and Hearing College Students

STI’s are an important topic of sex education. HIV/AIDS education in deaf education programs is lacking. The peer reviewed article “HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Information Sources Among Deaf and Hearing College Students” from the American Annals of the Deaf discusses deaf vs. hearing students’ knowledge about HIV/AIDS and how they received their information. One of the reasons the article gives for deaf students lack of knowledge about HIV/AIDS is low literacy levels due to sign being most deaf students first language (Heuttel and Rothstein 281). Additionally, many deaf individuals primarily communicate with other deaf individuals (Heuttel and Rothstein 281). Moreover, substance abuse can also contribute to why HIV/AIDS is prevalent in the deaf community. Since there is a lack of knowledge about HIV/AIDS in the deaf community the fact that deaf students have a “greater reliance . . . on friends and family as sources of information” has a negative impact (Heuttel and Rothstein 284). The article also suggests ways to improve education on HIV/AIDS for deaf students. I believe this article makes it very clear that sex education seriously needs to be improved for the deaf.

[healthysexual-deactivated201907]

[deafsexeducation]

HIV/AIDS is prevalent in the deaf community. Sex education is lacking in deaf education. It is important to educate deaf children and adolescents about HIV/AIDS, their symptoms, causes, methods of prevention, and testing. 

[deafsexeducation]

Cultural Scenario: Putting yourself in others shoes

A deaf male going to a mainstream high school in a lower class neighborhood chats with his deaf friends who are going to a residential school for the deaf in a middle class neighborhood. His friends talk about what they are learning in their sex education class and show him a few of the signs they have learned about reproductive anatomy and sex. He is confused as to why he isn’t getting any sex education at his mainstream school or at home. He feels stressed that he is not getting the information he needs. He approaches his parents who are hearing but sign and asks why they have never talked to him about sex, reproduction, and puberty in addition to why he wasn’t getting a sex education at his school. If you were his parents, what would you do?

Contact his guidance counselor and learn how to start the talk with him

Ask if there is a sex education class with an interpreter

Tell him that he will learn about it later

Change his school

Something else

[deafsexeducation]

The impact of abstinence and comprehensive sex and STD/HIV education programs on adolescent sexual behavior

In an effort to reduce unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease (STD) in adolescents, both abstinence and comprehensive sex and STD/HIV education programs have been proffered. Based on sp

Comprehensive sex education vs. abstinence-only sex education has been highly debated in the United States. Some parents do not want their children getting any sex education what so ever. While abstinence is a 100% effective way to avoid pregnancy, it is my opinion that a comprehensive sex education in necessary. Additionally, comprehensive sex education programs talk about abstinence however, they focus on other topics too such as birth control and STI’s (Kirby 18). I believe this is incredibly important because even someone is going to be abstinent they need to understand how to protect themselves when they do have sex and what STI’s are. The peer-reviewed article “The impact of abstinence and comprehensive sex and STD/HIV education programs on adolescent sexual behavior” from Sexuality Research & Social Policy discusses why this debate is important, the difficulty in classifying these programs, and the impact of these programs on adolescent’s sexual behavior. It concludes that comprehensive programs have a positive impact on abstinence and sexual behavior. I believe it is important for deaf children/adolescents to receive a comprehensive sex education.      

[deafsexeducation]

Understanding what is happening to your body during puberty and why it is happening is very important. It is necessary for children to know that it is happening to everyone not just them. Sex education and resources are seriously lacking for the deaf. This video has closed captioning and is a good video for parents to show their children about puberty.

[deafsexeducation]

This video is a kid friendly video about the reproductive system. It has closed captioning. I believe it is important for children to understand their reproductive system. I also believe it is important for children to learn about both the male and female reproductive system to help answer any questions they may have.

[deafsexeducation]

It is important for children, adolescents, and adults to understand the stages of pregnancy. This link talks about the changes a women's body goes through during each trimester, changes women may need to make in their lifestyle during each trimester, and how the baby develops. It is important in Deaf sex education to have resources that are accessible. This website is easy to read and shows pictures of the developing fetus. I believe this is a good jumping off point for talking about pregnancy with a deaf child or adolescent or even discussing and learning more about pregnancy with a deaf partner.

[deafsexeducation]

Educational video: Human reproduction for kids | Happy Learning

Human reproduction consists of three stages: conception, pregnancy and childbirth. Discover the whole process with our educational video about it.

Understanding reproduction is necessary. This site provides a good kid friendly video that explains conception, pregnancy, and childbirth. While the video does not have closed captioning, it has a transcript. This could be a good resource to show to deaf or hearing children. It can be very useful for parents who don’t know how to start or effectively communicate the talk or just want to reiterate the information to their child. 

[deafsexeducation]

Disclaimer: Signs vary based on location. There are many variations in sexuality signs. Only a few are shown in this video. Some sexuality words do not have signs yet so they are fingerspelled instead. Communication is key when educating deaf children. Sex education is lacking in many aspects in society today. Parents need to learn how to talk about sexuality with their children. This original video was made in the hope that parents of deaf children will be able to use the signs shown in it to help talk to their deaf children about sexuality. Morgan Eastman shows a few sexuality signs. Further research about sexuality is encouraged.

[deafsexeducation]

Having “the talk” is very important. Children need to be able to have their questions answered about sex and other topics covered by sex education. Some parents may feel uncomfortable talking about sex and instead choose to show their children images, videos, and internet articles. This video covers topics such as communication, birth control, pressure, choice, safe sex, the “first time”, and gives resources.    

[deafsexeducation]

Project MUSE - Deafness and Human Sexuality: A Developmental Review

Communication is key in sex education for deaf children. However, in my schools this is lacking. It is also lacking in the home as well because parents have a hard time clearly communicating sex education topics to their children. It is important for hearing parents of deaf children to learn how to communicate information with them clearly and effectively especially because “over 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents” (Shaul 432).  This peer reviewed article from The American Annals of the Deaf which was released in 1981 discusses deaf children lack of being about to talk about sexual situations, communication, sex education resources in schools, and knowledge about birth control methods, and variations in sexuality among deaf adults. While acceptance of different sexualities in the deaf and hearing communities has grown since 1981 many of the problems discussed in the article relating to sex education still preserver today.