Power & danger: A glimpse into K-12 sexual and reproductive health education via Instagram

Author

Sade Perez, Cal Poly HumboldtFollow

Graduation Date

Fall 2025

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Master of Arts degree with a major in Public Sociology

Committee Chair Name

Stefanie Israel de Souza

Committee Chair Affiliation

Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff

Second Committee Member Name

Caglar Dolek

Second Committee Member Affiliation

Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff

Keywords

California Healthy Youth Act, CHYA, Sexual health education, Reproductive health education, Sexual and reproductive health educators, Sex ed, Power, Danger, California educators, K-12, California schools

Subject Categories

Sociology

Abstract

Within the Kindergarten through Grade 12 (K-12) public school system, educators teach a wide array of subject areas and topics with the intention of preparing students for life beyond the classroom. Navigating legislative requirements, community acceptance and opposition, curriculum developments, evolving political landscapes, and a multitude of other challenges, educators that teach controversial subjects are faced with unique challenges. In California, legislation such as the California Healthy Youth Act (CHYA) of 2016, impacts the teaching experiences of those teaching what many deem controversial; sexual and reproductive health education (SRHE). While there is extensive research on the experiences of educators across the K-12 system and the impact SHRE can have on the youth receiving it, there is a gap in knowledge surrounding the sexual and/or reproductive health (SRH) educators teaching SRHE and the ways they discuss their experiences online. Using content analysis and an autoethnographic approach, this thesis explores the communities of SRH educators, the ways in which they connect online, and the resources they may share via the social media platform, Instagram. Thus, this thesis theorizes the complex dual positionalities of educators as both agents and subjects of dominant narratives of power through their language patterns, online discussions of legislative interpretation, and the communities that contribute to SRH educators’ experiences. Conducted by a California sexual and reproductive health educator, this research connects the gaps in the current body of knowledge theorizing about the role of sexual and reproductive health educators within K-12.

Citation Style

ASA

Recommended Citation

Perez, Sade, "Power & danger: A glimpse into K-12 sexual and reproductive health education via Instagram" (2025). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 2518.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/2518