Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Date

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Social & Behavioral Sciences

Committee Chair

Latrice Pichon

Committee Member

Jonah Stewart

Committee Member

Marian Levy

Committee Member

Shafi Bhuiyan

Abstract

Homeschooling has grown increasingly popular as a form of alternative education both in the United States and globally. However, research examining the public health implications of this homeschooling is minimal, especially research focusing on sexual behaviors and gender identity development. Similarly, research on homeschooling tends to focus on the caregivers' or parents' perceptions or motivations to homeschool, as opposed to centering the experiences and voices of those who are or were homeschooled. Because of this, very little is known about the ways homeschooled youth experience sexual health education, how gender identity development occurs, and how homeschoolers access reproductive healthcare. To bridge this gap in the literature, this dissertation explores the question of youth gender identity development and access to sexual health education and healthcare as it occurs during homeschooling. The first paper is a systematic review of youth sexual behaviors and gender identity development within the purview of schooling. The second paper qualitatively analyzes testimonials (N=61) from homeschoolers submitted to the Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE), examining the intersection of homeschooling, gender identity, and access to reproductive healthcare. The third paper uses data collected from in-depth interviews (N=32) and demographic survey responses (N=58) to retrospectively explore how access to Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (SRH) shaped the lived experiences of homeschooled individuals during their childhood and adolescence. Findings from this dissertation revealed gendered educational experiences of homeschooled youth, particularly in conservative religious contexts, and provided insights into gender equity and health outcomes in homeschooling environments. These findings demonstrated how homeschooling often decreased the presence of gender equity and limited access to evidence-based sexual health education, especially for those individuals homeschooled within the purview of larger, conservatively religious communities. To increase access to reproductive care and promote gender equity in homeschooling communities, the public health community must recognize the health effects of homeschooling on youth and prioritize creating culturally congruent interventions to support homeschooling families effectively.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest.

Notes

Open Access

Download

Share

COinS