ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses a variety of ways in which high schools teach lessons about sexuality and gender expression as part of both the formal curriculum and hidden curriculum. The author argues that public debate over the content of what is taught on these topics has long been, and continues to be, fueled by the rhetoric of powerful political interest groups. The chapter provides an overview of many of the areas of debate – the content of sex education courses, school dress codes, regulations over the gender of students’ prom dates, the bathrooms and locker rooms students can use, and the sports teams’ students are allowed to play on. To political interest groups being able to control what schools teach about sexuality and gender is an important strategy in culture wars that help to sustain political divisions in society.
