What place for sexuality education?

“Knowing that by the age of 12, one child in three has already seen pornographic content, I believe that sexuality education sessions are very important (2). I can’t force anyone to come but I still try to do everything so that every young person participates. Refusal to take part can come from children as well as parents. For the former, for example, I knew young girls, when I worked in high school, who did not wish to attend the interventions, even though they were obligatory. I think they were in a period of questioning about their religion, their culture, manifested by their recent wearing of the veil in particular. In their words, sexuality was “dirty, shameful”, and all these subjects should not be discussed in class. I tried to explain to them my approach which is based more broadly on raising awareness, preventing violence, promoting equality, acceptance of oneself and others, etc. It didn’t always work, I must admit. But I remain mobilized and I seek discussions with young people as much as possible, especially if our points of view diverge. Concerning the parents of students, it sometimes happens that some refuse to allow their children to attend the sessions. Often, I don’t really have an explanation but I sense fears, a lack of confidence in the school and the idea that it is not up to her to play this role. However, it is necessary. Even in families where the subject is not taboo, not everything is easy to say for a teenager or parents. However, they are easier to convince than reluctant students. I explain to them the content of the sessions, adapted to each age group and always very friendly. They generally end up accepting that their child comes. Perhaps the problem lies in the title of the workshops: “Love Life Education.” Parents imagine a lot of things about sexuality when in reality we are talking about lots of important topics for young people. It is all the more surprising since some of them do not see any danger in giving their children free access to the Internet. »

(1) The first name has been changed.

(2) A ministerial circular provides for three annual sessions, per class, for “better knowledge and better respect for oneself and others”.

Source