Teaching Forensic Paraphilia in Undergraduate and Graduate Human Sexuality: A Note from the Field

Abstract

Part of being a social work professor is teaching human sexuality, including paraphilias. Approaching such emotionally charged topics intellectually can be particularly difficult when teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels in higher education. Students coming from different parts of the nation, different parts of the planet; students coming from a diverse array of ethical and ideological backgrounds, can take these lessons in different ways, ways in which professors may never intend. Employing a point-counterpoint philosophy to explore the ethics related to sexual diversity and inclusion can encourage students to consider counterpoints to their points of view, focused not on agreement, but understanding. The aim isn’t for students to change who they are, but to get to know who they are at a deeper level by covering divisive topics from a variety of opposing and conflicting perspectives. For professors, it’s important to understand that divisive topics are divisive for a reason, and will likely never be universally considered.