Unveiling the Gaps: A Content Analysis of Gender Roles, Language, and Cultural Norms in Sri Lankan Sexuality Education

Abstract

Comprehensive Sexuality Educati on (CSE) is crucial for addressing sexuality and reproducti ve issues, enhancing sexual health outcomes, and promoti ng gender equality. This study examines Sri Lankan sexuality educati on curricula to identi fy gaps in addressing key components of CSE: representati on of gender and relati onships, language and tone, and cultural sensiti vity. Content analysis was conducted to assess Sri Lankan sexuality educati on components for Grades 1 to 11, focusing on government-approved textbooks. Data analysis involves a coding scheme based on the framework, with two independent reviewers coding to ensure reliability and validity through Cohen’s Kappa. Results showed a substanti al agreement for gender and relati onships (Kappa = 0.623), a moderate agreement for language and tone (Kappa = 0.543), and a complete agreement for cultural sensiti vity. The content analysis reveals signifi cant gaps in Sri Lankan sexuality educati on curricula, including insuffi cient coverage of gender equality, diverse sexual orientati ons, and positi ve relati onship dynamics. The language used oft en reinforces traditi onal values and sti gmati zes certain behaviors, while the tone is frequently alarmist and driven by fear. Additi onally, the curricula lack cultural sensiti vity, failing to address respect for cultural diversity or inclusive representati on. Results demonstrate signifi cant gaps and inconsistencies with global CSE standards. Addressing these gaps is crucial for aligning Sri Lankan sexuality educati on with internati onal best practi ces and improving educati onal outcomes for all students.