Learning to Dis(Connect): Women's Experiences of Sexual (Dis)Embodiment and Sexuality Education

Traditional versions of sexuality education operate from heteronormative, oppressive, and reductionistic lenses. As girls develop in these disembodied landscapes, there are detrimental implications for their ability to connect with their bodies in adulthood. There is a lack of research on the intersection between embodiment and sexuality education. This study implemented the Listening Guide to answer the questions, (1) what are women’s experiences of becoming sexually (dis)embodied? and (2) how are women’s experiences shaped by sexuality education? A purposeful sample of 10 participants was recruited from British Columbia, Canada. Three voice groups were found: (1) connection and openness, (2) disconnection and restriction, and (3) imposition. The co-collaboration of knowledge in this study led to meaningful insights into the active stance that women take to move into more empowered and embodied states. Implications of this research include a call to action for transformation in formal and informal sexuality education in Canada.