Sex education is not just an issue. In fact, there are certainly many people who do not even know that when we talk about sex education, we are talking about an area covered by the current Education Law, although in a transversal way.
What is sex education?
Sex education is also often called “affective-sexual education”. However, both concepts come to mean the same thing. In addition, affective-sexual education can become a repetitive term.
If we take the origin of the word sex as a reference, sex education means ‘education of the sexes’. In other words, it is a subject that covers everything related to how people – considered to be sexual beings – relate intimately and publicly, both emotionally and erotically. For this reason, when talking about the sexes, an implicit reference is made to emotions, affections and bonds.
Thus, sex education is the subject in charge of educating about affective and erotic relationships, although it is not restricted to just that area, it also feeds the knowledge of those who receive it, so that they can lead a much more fulfilled life with themselves.
In addition, it is important to mention that all this is accomplished, as in the case of all subjects, through a methodology, with some objectives, a pedagogical strategy and a series of teaching resources.
Current difficulties
Although sex education is contemplated by law and has the responsibility to cover a need (as we will see below), there are difficulties that make quality educational interventions very difficult:
- Transversality. This fact, already mentioned above, has an impact on the way in which sexual education interventions are carried out. If each educational center is responsible for deciding how this topic is presented, there will be a huge inequality between the locations, such as the number of classes, who conducts the orientations, what is the content, who receives these interventions, etc.
- Professionals who teach. Sometimes, the person responsible for carrying out the educational intervention does not have the necessary training. In addition to being inappropriate, this is dangerous. In a subject that speaks of self-knowledge, love, relationships, identities, orientations, etc., it is easy to fall into indoctrination if the orientation is not carried out in a rigorous and scientific way. Therefore, the most qualified professional to carry out this type of educational intervention is the sexologist.
- Social recognition of Sexology. Sexology interventions still do not have much social acceptance. If we compare this discipline with others, we will see that it is not considered a priority. This fact implies a very low investment of resources in sex education. Fortunately, however, that reality is beginning to change.
Who is sex education for?
Sex education is usually associated with adolescence, which is crucial for incorporating this knowledge, as we are talking about a stage full of changes at all levels, and these changes are addressed in this area. However, sex education can be offered and, in fact, is recommended at all stages of life.
Complexes with physical appearance or the fear of certain relationships are two examples of experiences that can occur at any time in our lives. And these types of programs address these and many other difficulties, promoting self-knowledge and diversity.
In this way, sex education can help many people who are going through difficult situations. Therefore, it is advisable to carry out educational interventions in this area at all stages of life.
Why is it necessary?
In essence, this story encourages us to have a better relationship with ourselves and others . It provides us with a wide range of knowledge and tools, from many points of view, to lead a healthy emotional and erotic life.
In addition, if sex education were better regulated and considered, the number of difficulties and problems in relationships between people would be significantly reduced.
In this area, the phrase “knowledge frees us” becomes especially important, because when you start to know the diversity that sexuality offers, you accept that each relationship is different, that there are infinite ways to feel at ease and take pleasure in a relationship.
Contrary to popular belief, sex education is not about teaching how to put on a condom. Believing this is like saying that teaching mathematics is showing how much is the sum of two plus two.
While it is necessary to talk about sexually transmitted diseases, contraceptive methods and how male and female genitals work, it is also important to teach how to say “no” to an unwanted relationship , that penetration is not the only relationship that exists, nor does it have to be the best, or that there are shapes, sizes and times in erotic relationships imposed by society that do not correspond to reality.
Via: Parents | MayoClinic
