Sex education was very different when I was at school. It was based purely on biology, purely about how pregnancy happens, and information was shared when you were 13 or 14, by which time you’d generally had a fumble behind the bike sheds, as that’s what Adrian Mole did. You’d also heard several myths, including how one girl, age 14, got pregnant by eating a burger from the late-night food van. The teacher usually stood at the front, put a short film on and hoped no one would ask questions.
Things have changed, and access to sexual content is everywhere. A national survey by Common Sense - a non-profit media company focused on kids and families – shows that most teens as young as 13 have seen hardcore porn either intentionally or accidentally.
Many of them admitted they watch porn to learn how to have sex.
This is the shocking reality of sex education and why we need to teach it in schools. Children learn what they think is right through watching depictions of sexual assault, including choking scenes and inflicting pain on others. Mainly women.
But who should be teaching them the right stuff?
Teaching sex education needs to start younger and should be based on relationships and understanding consent. But there is the challenge of who does this. Should it be teachers? Are they trained? Is it fair to put another thing on them? And if so, are we considering how awkward this can be and how we support our teachers?
There are a number of reasons why some teachers may be hesitant to teach sex education, including personal discomfort. Sex education can be a sensitive and sometimes awkward topic, and some teachers may feel uncomfortable discussing it with students. This discomfort can be compounded if teachers are not provided with adequate training or resources to teach the subject.
More recently, teaching sex education was thrust into the limelight again through Channel 4’s drama, Consent, a powerful and challenging portrayal of the complexities of sexual consent. With a storyline focusing on sexual assault, it raises important questions about how and what we teach when it comes to sex education.
With an emphasis on the importance of helping our young people define and understand consent. It's a complex subject, but one that is essential to explore if we are to create a safer, more equitable society for all.
One of the key issues that Consent raises is the need for better sex education in schools. While many schools now offer some form of sex education, it’s often cursory and sadly still focused on the biological aspects of sex rather than the social and emotional dimensions.
This is a problem, as research has shown that comprehensive sex education programs can lead to lower rates of sexual assault, unwanted pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections.
So, how can we tackle taboo subjects like sex education in schools?
Here are a few ideas:
- Start early: Sex education should begin at an early age and should be age-appropriate. This can include basic information about anatomy and reproduction and broader discussions about consent, healthy relationships, and self-esteem.
- Use age-appropriate language: It's essential to use clear, accessible, and non-judgmental language when discussing sex and relationships. This can help students feel more comfortable asking questions and seeking guidance.
- Make it inclusive: Sex education should include all genders, sexual orientations, and identities, creating a more inclusive and accepting school environment where students feel valued and respected.
- Involve parents and caregivers: Parents and caregivers can play an important role in supporting sex education efforts. Schools can provide resources and guidance for parents and caregivers and can work to foster open lines of communication between families and educators.
- Provide ongoing support: Sex education should not be a one-time event but an ongoing process integrated into the school curriculum. This can help ensure students have the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about their bodies and sexual health.
To support teachers, it’s also essential for schools and local authorities to provide them with additional training, resources, and supporting tools to teach sex education. These can include professional development opportunities, clear curriculum guidelines, and access to resources such as books, videos, and websites.
It’s also important for schools to foster a culture of open communication and respect around sex education so that teachers feel supported and empowered to tackle this important subject.
Prioritising sex education
"Consent" is an important and timely drama highlighting the need for better sex education in schools. By tackling taboo subjects like sex education, we can help create a more informed, empowered, and equitable society for all. It's time for schools and policymakers to step up and prioritise sex education as a crucial component of a well-rounded education.
To help, we’ve put together some of the top free guides and resources to help your teachers:
Whilst here at Happy-Centred Schools, we’re not experts in sex education; we are, however, experts in teaching and facilitating conversations on taboo subjects.
We’ve worked with local government on developing and designing programmes to engage people in difficult public health messages and worked in schools facilitating challenging conversations.
If you’d like our team to help your teaching team to design and develop skills to teach taboo subjects, get in touch - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Stephanie Davies.
