Can sex education coexist with your faith? Meet Nikki, a Master’s in Sexology student who is striving to provide those who come from a religious background with real sex education | Reading time: 2 minutes
Raised in the religious state of Utah as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nikki has always rebelled against the discomfort of discussing sex education. From her teenage years, Nikki noticed how the adults in her life dismissed her curiosity for the subject. Culturally, Nikki worried about what her faith community would think if she pursued an undergraduate degree in the subject. But as an outspoken member of her church, she thought “If not me, then who?”
When she realised how many people around her needed someone to talk to about the topic, Nikki became convinced that sex education was her true calling. After holding many ‘sex ed nights’ educating attendees on her rapidly growing knowledge of the topic, and completing her undergraduate degree through exchange programs around the world, Nikki eventually found herself in Perth to pursue her Master’s in Sexology. Now entering her final semester, she can’t see herself studying anything else.
“People don’t realise how much there is to human sexuality. It’s such a huge umbrella of things and is so interesting.”
While the subject matter in her degree can be taboo, Nikki’s found the Master’s in Sexology extremely rewarding. Her program’s guest speakers have been a notable highlight, which she feels will well prepare her for her career once she graduates. Hearing firsthand from someone who works with this type of clientele every single day, or with someone with lived experience, is what will make her a better professional.
For Nikki, her Master’s doesn’t only have value on a research and career level, but simply in everyday life. Human sexuality is something that every single person is a part of – whether it’s their decision making, the way their body functions or how it influences them in their lives.
Sexology is an intensely research-heavy degree, so Nikki’s advice is to make use of the TL Robertson Library. The librarians’ deep understanding of databases has been so beneficial – especially in contrast to AI. “What AI can’t do right now is really understand the search terms for the database,” she says. “It doesn’t think about it as much, it’s a little too general.”
Looking ahead, Nikki is excited to pursue a career helping those who grew up like her to no longer fear conversations around sex. She hopes to speak to large groups of those of a similar upbringing to herself and spread her name in the sexology sphere.
“My niche clientele is high-demand religions that teach abstinence before marriage. As an active member of my faith community, that’s the language I speak. I get it and I want to help those I go to church with.”
Despite having already developed a wealth of experience in the sex education space, this is just the beginning of Nikki’s journey in extending her passion for sexuality to many others.
