SEX-EDUCATION CONTENT OF 9TH GRADE HEALTH-EDUCATION TEXTBOOKS - A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

Textbooks are usually a primary formal source of sex information for m ost secondary school students. We examined textbooks used in ninth gra de health education classes in the state of Texas from 1956 to 1993. P revious studies have focused on content, or tire ''range of topics'' c overed and the ''amount of space'' devoted to each. Using a classical form of rhetorical analysis known as topoi or topical analysis this st udy focused on ''how'' the material was addressed, rather than ''what' ' was addressed. Findings suggest that while the range of topics and d epth to which they are covered have increased dramatically in the last 40 years, the manner in which they are addressed however, has not cha nged significantly. The sex education content of ninth grade health ed ucation textbooks, adopted for Texas public schools from 1955-1993, we re consistently characterized by descriptions of the mechanics of the reproductive system, definitions of scientific terms, and discussion o f the emotional stresses of dating and relationships. Application of t opoi analysis to other sex education materials is strongly encouraged.