Sexual Education, What Challenges for Tomorrow?

Abstract

In many parts of the world, political and government authorities, school principals, teachers, and parents are not so sure about the need for sex education to young people. They are reluctant to provide it as they dread promoting sexual activity and worse, an unbridled sort of sexuality. Sex education was introduced in schools less than five decades ago, for political and public health reasons. First limited as a whole to “no sex” or “safer sex” and often delivered in an excessively conventional way. More recently, other topics relevant have begun to be added, such as incest, gender identity, sexual orientation, consent relationship, interpersonal violence, and LGBTQIA+. At a time when social networks and online pornography have become young people’s main information sources on sexuality, sexual education is more essential than ever. Clearly, it is high time we had one approach to sex education, serving emotions, the body, human relationships as well as erotic art and ethics. Programs using interactive learning and skill building are essential in engaging young people with the knowledge and tools required for healthy sexual decision-making. Modern implementation strategies of communication, including digital and gaming, are necessary to address young people in a positive way.