University of Missouri Kansas City Legalization of Prostitution Discussion

Controversial Topics in Human Sexuality

Select a controversial topic in human sexuality of interest to you. Choose from sample list or one of your own.

Consider the individual & social implications of your issue & how it relates to sexual health & well-being.

Guidelines:

1. Provide an overview of the issue, possibly including: history, current status, social norms, populations affected, social implications, health implications, policy implications, economic factors, cultural/ethnic influences, religion, ethics, education, media coverage
2. Discuss which side of the issue you favor and why, then
3. Discuss the opposing viewpoint (motivations, rationale), give your evaluation of the merits of the competing philosophy
4. Application of this topic in the field of public health.

FINAL PAPER: (100 points total)

Format: 3-4 pages plus references

• Introduce the topic, history, and evidence. Highlight the most important information in the field.

• The paper must cite sources using APA citation style, (Links to an external site.) where applicable
• At least four sources must be cited in the paper and then reflected on your reference sheet

• Write a well-developed article that deconstructs both sides of an issue.
• Recommend the best public health approach and back your opinion with peer-reviewed evidence.

Sample controversial topics for research paper:

• Infant male circumcision
• Female genital modification/circumcision
• Mandatory condom use in pornography
• Gender roles: Nature vs Nurture
• Legal prostitution
• Censorship of explicit erotic material
• Sexual addiction
• Sex offender registries
• Legal abortion
• Equal rights (including marriage) for LGBTQIA people
• Non-heterosexual adoptions
• Breast feeding in public
• Religion & sex (focus on a specific aspect)
• Vaccines (specific to sexuality – i.e. mandatory vaccines, HPV vaccine, HIV trials, etc…)
• Emergency contraception available to over the counter without age requirements
• Insurance coverage of contraception
• Maximum child number restrictions
• Castration of sex offenders
• Gender bias in sexual pleasure
• Comprehensive school sexuality education vs. abstinence-only education
• Impact of pornography on romantic relationships
• Insurance coverage of gender confirmation surgery
• Infidelity (always bad? Is it ever ok?)
• Are dating apps & social media contributing to risky behaviors & increased STI rates?
• HIV criminalization laws
• Other topic of your choice *must ask professor

Rubric

Some Rubric (1)