USING SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIAL IN ADULT SEX-EDUCATION - AN 18 YEAR COMPARATIVE-ANALYSIS

Evaluating 7451 adults' responses to viewing sexually explicit materia l during Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR) seminars held from 1972 to 1991 is the focus of this study. Almost all reported experiencing the se media as not harmful, and reported positive responses to the explic it visual material. Evidence of a double standard was also found: name ly, while almost all viewed the seminar as not harmful to themselves, a significantly smeller proportion viewed it as not harmful to others. Respondents in the more liberals 1970s were more likely to view the s eminar as not harmful than those in the more conservative 1980s. Sexua lly explicit media were viewed as the most helpful aspect of the semin ar by most participants, and judged valuable both in assisting partici pants explore their issues and concerns, and ill helping them clarify their emotional response to aspects of sexuality. Tile evidence sugges ts that sexually explicit material is a valuable tool ill adult sex ed ucation.