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Let’s (Not) Talk about Sex: Challenges in Integrating Sex Education in Traditional Arabic Society in Israel

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Abstract

This phenomenological study aims to examine sex education from a multicultural perspective, focusing on counselors in charge of delivering sex education programmes developed from a Western perspective into schools in traditional, conservative Arab communities in Israel. To this end, in-depth interviews were held with 12 Muslim Arab school counselors working in the Arab Educational Sector in Israel. The findings shed light on how these counselors place great importance on promoting sex education in schools and are proactively working towards realizing their perceptions of their roles despite difficulties associated with intercultural and ideological gaps between Arab and Jewish societies in Israel.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Educational Department, The Max Stern Yezreel Valley College, 30 Lilach Street, Reut, 7179902, Modiin, Israel

    Mirit Sinai

  2. Teiba, Israel

    Farida Masrawa Shehade

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  1. Mirit Sinai
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  2. Farida Masrawa Shehade
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Correspondence to Mirit Sinai.

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Sinai, M., Shehade, F.M. Let’s (Not) Talk about Sex: Challenges in Integrating Sex Education in Traditional Arabic Society in Israel. Int J Adv Counselling 41, 361–375 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-018-9355-x

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