Sex education is a topic that has seen great advancements over the past few years after decades of secrecy and misinformation. From the early days, sex has been a taboo subject; however, this is slowly becoming a more comprehensive and inclusive discussion within our day-to-day lives. The evolution of sex education and understanding mirrors the progress society is making to become more accepting of human sexuality. We now live in a world where we can discuss things including our preferences and orientation such as asexuality and non-monogomy as well as our experiences be that an adventurous date or erotic massage in London. Let’s take a look at the journey sex education has been on throughout the years, where it currently stands and the valuable lessons that we can all learn from to be a more open and informed society.
From Silence To Awareness
In the very early days, sex education was virtually nonexistent, and discussion around the topic of sex was often shut down and hushed. During this time, due to the lack of open and honest communication, a lot of misinformation was spread. As formal educational systems emerged, it became recognised that a structured sexual education lesson was needed, so pioneering educators allowed these discussions to take place in schools during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Although these were now taking place, it was very limited and lacked honesty and detail. This new lesson structure of sex education in educational settings was met with a lot of resistance, which only significantly reflected the past societal norms and the conservative attitudes of those back then.
Embracing Openness
In the late 1960s, we saw a significant turning point as attitudes towards sex changed, promoting openness and leaving behind traditional constraints. During this time, sex education started to be embraced with a liberal approach, where discussions about relationships, contraception, STIs (sexually transmitted infections), sexuality and more were embraced with a more liberal approach. Although some people think this period was rife with misunderstandings and misinformation, it was also the needed move forward, providing a foundation for more candid discussions about sex, challenging taboo subjects and providing the road towards future enhancements.
The Wake-Up Call
As most of us are aware, the 1980s brought many challenges, including that of the HIV/AIDS crisis, which raised an interest in conversation around sex education and sexual health. The urgent need to restrain the epidemic meant many comprehensive sex education outputs with a focus on safe sex practices, empathy, understanding and acceptance gained attention from the public. The HIV/AIDS crisis emphasized the seriousness of educating everyone on sexual health while debunking myths and reducing the stigmas associated with the taboo. This period proved how important accurate information and compassion are within the sexual education sector.
Accessible Knowledge
Sex education has seen greater advancements since the world has become more digital. The internet and social media platforms provide us with powerful tools and outputs for facts, knowledge and questions surrounding sexual health and relationships. With these online resources, we have endless teachings at our fingertips, accessible to a global audience. This, however, has come with its challenges, such as discriminating sources and misinformation being taken seriously. Navigating the issues that come hand in hand with the wonderful impact digital platforms can have is significantly important to ensure inclusivity for diverse communities and utilise the full potential of online sex education resources.
Celebrating Differences
Focusing on inclusivity and diversity through sex education is incredibly important. Understanding human sexuality being different for all with vast amount of pronouns, orientations, and preferences allows us to teach modern sex education programmes that are up-to-date with the LGBTQIA+ space. In order for us to have effective and comprehensive education around these topics, we need to respect all diverse experiences and opinions while fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance for everyone. Thankfully, in 2023, there is a lot of visibility and embrace for everyone being who they want to be and loving who they want to love.
The Challenges
While we can see the sex education industry has come a long way, it has also brought with it some challenges and controversies. There have been numerous debates around multiple factors, including the responsibility of schools and parents to teach children about these topics, the appropriate ages for people to start having sexual experiences and what is accepted within different cultures. There needs to be a delicate approach to addressing these challenges while respecting opinions and beliefs and providing evidence-backed factual information. Acknowledging the complexities that come with sexual education can allow us to work towards finding solutions for teaching these subjects and prioritising the well-being of all those involved.
The Progression
Throughout this evolution of sex education, we have learned many valuable lessons for creating a progressive and open-minded space. The years of progression in the space have highlighted the importance of open, honest and age-appropriate discussions around relationships and sexual experiences. Education now being implemented from a younger age in an honest, respectful and inclusive manner allows for everyone to have a healthy relationship with their bodies and preferences.
In conclusion, the evolution of sex education has emphasized the need for evidence-based information, openmindedness, communication and acceptance. Learning from the past, we can continue to build a society where every individual is empowered to be their truest selves, knowing they will be met with respect. By embracing diversity and understanding varying orientations and identities, we can create a future filled with safer spaces for everyone.
