Faculty Experiences Teaching Sex, Sexuality, and Sexual Health Content in Social Work

Topics of sex, sexuality, and sexual health emerge in every social work practice setting, with all populations. We conducted an exploratory, qualitative study to investigate faculty experiences teaching courses centered on sex, sexuality, and sexual health in social work classrooms. We used convenience sampling and interviews were conducted remotely over Zoom. Twenty-four social work faculty participated (N = 24); most participants identified as queer (67%), white (83%) and with a PhD (75%) in social work (79%). Half identified as a tenured faculty member and 92% reported working at a public institution. Using thematic analysis, we identified three themes: challenges teaching this content, any social work educator can teach this content, and integration of this content into social work education is urgent. Preparedness and training in sex, sexuality, and sexual health is an essential social work skillset in micro to macro practice settings. This research project explores experiences of social work educators teaching sex, sexuality and sexual health, including specific challenges, encouragement of interested faculty, and an appeal to strengthen this content across social work curricula.