The Politics of Youth, Sex, and Health Care in American Schools

by Feit; Marvin D

• ISBN13: 9780789012715
• ISBN10: 0789012715
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-10-31
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Examine school-based health clinics and the political considerations and strategies that can help them succeed! The Politics of Youth, Sex, and Health Care in American Schools reveals the history and political dynamics involved in building and sustaining an important innovation in the way health care services are delivered to America's youth: the school-based health clinic. These clinics provide vital health services--including crucial yet controversial reproductive services--to youth. In addition to analyzing the nature and extent of the political barriers facing school-based clinics, this vital book describes the strategies that have proven most effective in overcoming them. This essential book begins with an overview of the existing literature on the history and provision of health care for youth. Then it presents the results of a study that utilized a two-pronged approach: a nationwide survey of clinic administrators (supplemented with aggregate data) and intensive case studies of five representative locales. By combining the quantitative data from the national survey with the more qualitative information gleaned from the case study field work, The Politics of Youth, Sex, and Health Care in American Schools can deliver broad yet accurate generalizations as well as detailed interpretation of the authors'findings. This informative and insightful volume explores: the ways that school-based health clinics (SBHCs) have evolved, confronted opposition, and grown day-to-day issues that SBHCs face, including inadequate funding, lack of parental involvement, unsupportive teachers and schools, staffing/training issues, cultural issues, and more sources of opposition to SBHCs, including fundamentalist Protestants, Black Evangelicals, Catholics, and conservative parent groups ways to establish successful school health care reforms issues and recommendations for SBHCs in the future To date, there have been very few empirical studies of the politics of school health or of the provision of sexuality-related health services for youth. The greatest depth and breadth of information you can find on the subject is here, in The Politics of Youth, Sex, and Health Care in American Schools.

Author Biography

James W. Button, PhD, is Professor of Political Science at the University of Florida in Gainesville Barbara A. Rienzo, PhD, is Professor of Health Science Education at the University of Florida in Gainesville

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Evolution of Health Services in Schools	1	(20)
Health Status and Care of American Youth	3	(1)
Schools and Health Care	4	(3)
The Development of School-Based Clinics	7	(3)
Effectiveness of School-Based Health Centers	10	(2)
SBHCS Confront Opposition	12	(1)
Growth of SBHCs	13	(2)
School Clinics As Policy Change	15	(1)
Politics Matters	16	(1)
Our Study of SBHCs: Why Is It Important?	17	(4)
Major Problems of School Health Centers	21	(40)
Day-to-Day Issues	22	(8)
Major Underlying Issues	30	(5)
Characteristics of Less Successful Clinics	35	(26)
The Establishment and Success of School Health Reforms	61	(30)
Inner Circle of Support	63	(4)
Outer Circle of Support	67	(3)
Building the Web of Support	70	(1)
Role of the Media	71	(3)
Funding for SBHCs	74	(3)
Characteristics of Successful Clinics	77	(3)
SBHCs That Have Prospered	80	(11)
Sexuality Services and the Political Opposition	91	(32)
SBHCs and Prevention of Sexually Related Health Problems	93	(4)
Sources of Opposition to SBHCs	97	(11)
Characteristics of Clinics Offering Sexuality Services	108	(4)
Political Tactics of the Opposition	112	(4)
Strategies of Advocates	116	(4)
Race and Politics Matter	120	(3)
The Future of SBHCs As a School Reform: Issues and Recommendations	123	(30)
Financial Support	124	(3)
Mental Health Services	127	(3)
Dealing with Sexual Orientation	130	(2)
The Gender Gap	132	(2)
Neglect of Latinos	134	(2)
Underutilized Resources	136	(5)
Political Advocates for Youth	141	(1)
Accountability	142	(3)
Dealing with the Race Issue	145	(2)
``Model'' SBHC Reform	147	(2)
Politics As the Key	149	(4)
References	153	(16)
Index	169