Why is a More Inclusive Discourse about Sexual Education So Important?

Have you wondered why it is important to have a more inclusive discourse about sexual education? Do you know what sex education in school covers? How effective is sex education in schools? This article explains why it is important to have a more inclusive discourse about sex education.

 Some reasons why a more inclusive discourse about sexual education is important to have been discussed below. Inclusive sexual education is important for all students. It keeps students informed and helps them support their LGBTQ friends, family, and co-workers. It reduces the belief that there is one right way to have sex that happens between two individuals of the same gender. It also emphasizes consent and understanding the positive and negative psychological effects of having sex. This article discusses the importance of an inclusive discourse about sexual education.

Relationship and Sex Education

Relationship and sex education cover many topics, including Puberty, safe sex, contraceptives, menstruation, how sex is portrayed in the media, and healthy and abusive relationships. These topics help young people understand how their bodies work biologically and psychologically. Enow et al. (2015) explained that this is very important for young people to interact with their bodies and other people's bodies safely and in the right way. It also allows people to make more informed and sober decisions for themselves. In addition, it also helps in dispelling myths about what healthy relationships look like.

Results of Poor Sex Education

A study showed that many children could not name rather unfortunate body parts. It could make child sexual abuse go unidentified. Children using slang terminology to report cases could result in misunderstandings. Santelli et al. (2018) explained that lack of sexual education and being uninformed could lead to other adverse consequences such as unwanted pregnancies, STIs, and sexual violence. Domestic violence can be a problem like sexual violence for people who are not aware of the red flags of unhealthy relationships. Much work needs to be done to address sexual violence and domestic abuse and ensure that the young generation has enough knowledge about keeping themselves and others safe in their sex lives and relationships since some schools are still not addressing certain aspects like LBTQ+ issues. 

As much as there needs to focus on students in institutions where this learning can start, the older generation who didn't get a chance to learn these important lessons can't be accounted for by an individual. People who left school before sex education in schools came into effect as they recall awkward lessons which covered the bare minimum and were filled with religious messages that urged them to keep off sex completely. These people entered a sexual relationship with little to no guidance on what's healthy. 

Education supporting abstinence as the only contraception method disregards the reality that people will still indulge in sex despite being taught to abstain. They won't know how to protect themselves from Sexually Transmitted Infections or unplanned pregnancies if that's all they're taught. Constantine et al. (2015) stated that emphasizing sex education based on abstinence increases teenage pregnancy. Teaching abstinence as the only form of sex education is pointless. The only solution is to provide inclusive education about contraception and safe sex, which lets people make perfect decisions about the best ways they can avoid getting STIs and unwanted pregnancies. 

Exclusion of the LGBTQ+ Community

Exclusion of the LGBTQ+ community is another big problem in school sex education that is still persistent even after individuals introduced sex education in schools. The LGBTQ+ community in schools mostly feels like they are not fully represented, which confuses them and increases their risk of STIs or sexual violence. In the past, schools were prohibited from discussing LGBTQ+, which led to young people being bullied in school and being made to feel different and unusual. Teachers were unable to step in and help even if they wanted. Most LGBTQ+ who grew up during that time feel the negative impact of their identity being shamed up to date. There were no examples of healthy LGBTQ+ relationships, which made many people end in toxic situations such as inappropriate and abusive relationships. Since the LGBTQ community experience the most negative sexual-health outcomes compared to their heterosexual friends, they would benefit greatly from inclusive sexual education.

Way Forward

While this may sound scary, and it may seem as if people who left school missed out on this important education, organizations are working to address these issues. Riecher-Rössler (2017) explained that there are online guides to sex that do podcasts and posts that give detailed information about relationships, sex, and mental health. Such platforms allow people who have left school and those still in school to continue learning.

The days of ineffective sex education have undoubtedly left a mark on society and people who grew up with toxic messaging. Nevertheless, it's still possible for future generations to get more and better guidance and have an inclusive education. Sex education in schools requires a stronger curriculum that doesn't allow private institutions to skip subjects they don't like. All children are entitled to an education that covers all genders and sexual identities and one that covers all emergent issues being brought about by the current digital world. It is the best way to do away with discrimination against people who don't fall under traditional ways of relationships and lifestyles. It is also the only way to protect young people from the outcome of not understanding sex and relationships.

Conclusion

There should be an introduction of compulsory sex education in all schools. All students are entitled to sex education, especially one that discusses and makes LGBTQ+ feel like a part of society. It helps improve their health outcomes and builds a safe school environment where everyone can thrive comfortably. Also, when the students feel protected, their grades and general performance will improve drastically as they will feel comfortable around the school. It’s important to create a culture that openly talks about sexual safety, irrespective of one’s identity. Each student should have access to sex education that discusses making the right choices, having safe sex, and including the LGBTQ community.

References 

Constantine, N. A., Jerman, P., Berglas, N. F., Angulo-Olaiz, F., Chou, C. P., & 

Rohrbach, L. A. (2015). Short-Term Effects Of A Rights-Based Sexuality Education Curriculum For High-School Students: A Cluster-Randomized Trial. BMC Public Health, 15(1), 1-13.

Enow, H., Nagalingam, P., Singh, R., & Deepak Thalitaya, M. (2015). Need For A

Comprehensive Sex And Relationship Education Program For Adults With A Learning Disability. Psychiatria Danubina, 27(Suppl 1), 465-467.

Riecher-Rössler, A. (2017). Sex And Gender Differences In Mental Disorders. The Lancet

Psychiatry, 4(1), 8-9.

Santelli, J. S., Grilo, S. A., Choo, T. H., Diaz, G., Walsh, K., Wall, M., ... & Mellins,

C. A. (2018). Does Sex Education Before College Protect Students From Sexual Assault In College?. Plos One, 13(11), E0205951.