Cultural Mindset and Social Policy: Mapping Sexual Health–Related Policies Across the USA

Abstract

Introduction: In the wake of post-Roe America, scholars increasingly evaluate the barriers associated with sex education and reproductive rights nationwide, probing the role of cultural factors in shaping these trends.

Methods: Drawing on secondary data collected in 2024 from The Guttmacher Institute, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS), and prior research by Harrington and Gelfand ( Harrington & Gelfand, 2014), this study examines the relationship between cultural mindset and state-level policies regulating sex education and abortion access in the USA.

Results: Utilizing the tightness–looseness continuum as a framework, our analysis uncovers a clear association between higher state mindset scores and the implementation of more restrictive policies. Tighter states, characterized by stringent norm adherence, tend to enforce limited sex education curricula, hindering information accessibility and perpetuating narratives of heteronormativity. Regression models confirm a notable preference in tighter states for abstinence-focused sex education over comprehensive or abstinence-plus curricula. Additionally, regression models confirm tighter states exhibiting significantly stricter abortion regulations, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups and deepening barriers to bodily autonomy.

Conclusion: Highlighting the contrast between loose and tight states, we emphasize the imperative of fostering inclusive and comprehensive sex education for enhancing bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom. These insights contribute valuable perspectives to academic discourse, informing ongoing public debates and underscoring the need for nuanced policy approaches to navigate socio-cultural factors influencing reproductive rights and healthcare outcomes.

Policy Implications: Understanding state-level mindset dynamics is crucial for anticipating legislative shifts and comprehensively grasping societal attitudes. Such insights offer pivotal guidance for policymakers and activists in the evolving policy landscape following landmark decisions like Roe v. Wade.