Alexia Diaz - Sex Education

SEX EDUCATION 

What is sex education? 

  Sex education is a topic that can come about as very sensitive in certain environments, whether that be in a household or school setting. Despite the uncomfortable feeling it can bring, it is vital for this topic of discussion to become more common in conversations between children and their guardians. Sex education can be defined as a type instruction that informs people on sex and sexuality as a whole, targeting topics that will expand one’s knowledge on sexual health and relationships as well. Some key variables that come along with sex education include sex, adolescence, male, female, puberty, reproduction, relationships, contraception, sexual orientation, gender identity, and many more. 

 

Why is it important?

    Sex education is a relevant topic considering it allows people to become more educated on their own body, other people’s bodies, relationships, and sexual health overall. It is important for children to be educated on sex and sexuality instead of expressing it to be something that should be avoided. I also feel it is important for all children, including those with any type of disability, to receive the proper amount of knowledge on sex education that suits their needs without being excluded. Addressing sex education between children and their guardians, as well as authoritative figures in schools, provides a healthy form of communication to be generated, alongside the creation of trust, and a better outlook on sexual health for all.

Home Setting

    Lack of comfort has been known to be a common reason as to why guardians fail to enlighten their children on sex edcuation. Despite this, researchers have found that this alone is not the only factor that contributes to this problem. Woody et al. (2005) explains how anxiety has shown to trigger adults into informing their children on sex education. Some examples of factors that anxiety may trigger for these adults would consist of the following: past trauma, discomfort, and lack of personal knowledge. Research shows that parental guardians do not seem to validate the need for sex education nearly as much as adolescents do. This is due to the fact that adults view this topic as one that should be avoided, alongside not viewing sex education as a priority in the lives of their children (Woody et al., 2005). Effort in wanting to educate children on sex education stems from personal characteristics from one’s past. This creates a continuous pattern of lack of effort which needs to be put at a halt, given it is forming a barrier for sex education. 

School Setting

    Despite the lack of sex education performed in school settings, there are some locations that do partake in providing this information to their students. There is a particular special education school in Malmoe, Sweden that drew attention towards the absence of proper sex education for students who have intellectual disabilities. Lofgren-Martenson (2011) emphasized that adolescents with intellectual disabilities do not receive the same opportunities as others, even when it comes down to knowledge on sex education. Research showed that these individuals with intellectual disabilities were mainly receiving information regarding the risk factors of sex education, instead of providing information about pleasure and desire. It was also found that there needs to be a specific, adequate method of informing individuals with intellectual disabilities about sex edcuation that is best executed to meet their needs (Lofgren-Martenson, 2011). Access to sex education in schools can be hard to find due to the lack of programs available, and this is even more evident for students who deal with intellectual disabilities. 

My Thoughts

    Proper knowledge regarding sex education needs to be provided in methods that will best meet the standards of the adolescents receiving the information. The knowledge that is being distributed to students should also be mature in terms of utilizing correct vocabulary and addressing protection and health as opposed to avoidance. As an individual who failed to receive adequate sex education in both the home and school setting, I strive to educate those around me with as much information as I can possibly provide. I also make the effort to educate my nephews and nieces to ensure they grow up being informed on knowledge that should be comprehended by all. Adolescents should not grow up having to figure things out on their own nor should they constantly carry unanswered questions regarding sexuality. All adults, whether they be parental guardians, school staff, etc., should implement the concepts of sex education beginning at a young age, presenting suitable material on sexual health.

References

Lofgren-Martenson, L. (2011). “I Want to Do it Right!” A Pilot Study of Swedish Sex Education and Young People with Intellectual Disabilities. Sexuality and Disability, 30(2), 209-225. doi:10.1007/ s11195-011-9239-z

Woody, J. D., Randall, A. D., & D’Souza, H. J. (2005). Mothers’ Efforts Toward Their Children’s Sex Education: An Exploratory Study. Journal of Family Studies, 11(1), 83-97. doi:10.5172/ jfs.327.11.1.83