Sex-talk: Uncovering the rhetorical strategies of abstinence and comprehensive sex education campaigns in the United States

Abstract

A rhetorical analysis of abstinence and comprehensive sex education campaigns utilizing William R. Brown's model, the Rhetoric of Social Intervention (RSI). RSI is applied to the Abstinence Clearinghouse (for abstinence) and the Advocates for Youth: Rights, Respect, Responsibility (for comprehensive) campaigns. A comparison and contrast of the two programs is presented, as well as critical implications. Health communication research consisting of behavioral change strategies are also applied to this analysis. Ultimately, societal implications suggest a dual approach (combining abstinence and comprehensive) to teaching sex education in the U.S.