[nabs-l] Sex study

[Jamie Principato]

Clearly the research question these scientists have is not "What knowledge
do people 18-20 have about sex?" There have already been studies conducted
to that end. This study asks the more specific question, "What knowledge do
blind people age 18-20 have about sex?" It presumably wants to see whether
or not the result is different from what has previously been found to be the
norm. If there is a statistically significant difference, one could presume
they would then seek to determine why, perhaps looking at possible barriers
to sex education in public schools (at least, that's where I'd look first),
and once they identify possible sources of the difference, they may continue
by examining ways to make a difference. This is how science works, but
science is self correcting. If there is no difference, the research will
probably not continue in this manner.

On Thu, Feb 3, 2011 at 4:38 PM, Bridgit Pollpeter <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>wrote:

> Darian,
>
> I agree with you, but I guess I wonder why it is important to study
> blind people and not all people 18 to 20 years of age.
>
> I think it is important to learn how and when we gain this knowledge,
> and I am a supporter of sex education.  This is a topic that affects all
> people though.  Based solely on the information stated in the sex survy
> email, they seem to be focusing their study on blind individuals.  I
> simply wonder what the importance of this detail is, and why the study
> is not concerned with all people in that age bracket, or outside that
> bracket for that matter.
>
> I apologize for starting any controversy on the list.  As someone out of
> my twenties, I hoped to urge anyone to think about their actions before
> engaging in such a study.  I did not mean to suggest this study was
> harmful, but I wanted to caution.
>
> There are a lot of questions, too, that I feel surround this study.  We
> know, even recently, studies and surveys have been conducted that did
> not do anything to help those who are blind, and were based on
> stereotypes and negative perceptions.  Anyone remember the special yoga
> mat for the blind?
>
> So sorry for causing any problems.  I merely hoped to begin a dialogue
> that would make us think-- not judge, just think.
>
> Bridgit P
>
>
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