Sara Blumenthal

The empirical study - a participatory observation of sex education in biology classes in four secondary school classes in Berlin, focuses on the dynamic of shame in communication processes.

In which contexts is the expression of shame observable? What role does humiliation play in these contexts? Are there gender, class or culture specific differences regarding the contexts in which shame is displayed and the coping mechanisms associated with it? Expert interviews with the teachers and group-discussions with the students complement the partly video-based data collection.

The study started off with the assumption that sexuality has traditionally a strong relationship with shame, despite the sexual revolution of the 1960s in Germany. Apart from teaching the basic curriculum, schools have the role of imparting the underlying norms and values of a given society. It was assumed that prevalent norms and values concerning gender and sexuality and the curriculum content might form an area of conflict.

Discipline

Education

Supervisor

Prof. Dr. Christoph Wulf

Prof. Dr. Birgitt Röttger-Rössler