Many people think of sex education as being limited to sex, but it is actually more than that. Sexuality education is not only about sexuality, it has important implications for relationships, healthy relationships, self-esteem, gender equality, and empathy and respect. Sex education can increase the probability of having healthy relationships and avoid getting into unhealthy ones.
Sex education can make us healthier physically and mentally, as well as being a favourable tool for preventing sexual violence.
1. Sexual violence
With the growth of pornography, there is also a certain degree of sexual violence, usually verbal and physical violence against women. Research indicates that individuals who consume pornography may exhibit a higher propensity for sexual violence; however, it is essential to recognize that the depiction of sexual encounters in pornography does not accurately reflect the complexities of real-life sexual experiences. If there is a lack of sex education, relying solely on pornography to learn about sex can lead to a lot of problems, not only with healthy relationships, but possibly even injuries in sexual and emotional relationships.
Consent is the central theme in sex education, and this is very important, whether it is hugging, kissing, any intimate contact, it is always necessary to ask for the consent of the other person. The societal culture, coupled with the limited accessibility of sex education, contributes to a widespread misunderstanding of the true meaning of consent.
Early sex education equips children with the knowledge necessary to understand their bodies and establish personal boundaries regarding physical contact. This foundational understanding not only aids in their development of healthy romantic relationships later in life but also fosters the ability to communicate and negotiate boundaries effectively. For instance, after a date, individuals can learn to ask for consent by inquiring, “May I give you a hug?” Emphasizing the importance of consent is crucial in mitigating the risk of sexual violence.
2. Dating Violence
Dating violence is physical, sexual or verbal violence against a lover or sexual partner. It can happen to women of all ages, races, economic and educational levels, not only to heterosexual couples, but also to same-sex couples. Dating violence not only causes physical harm, but also destroys relationships, trust and affection.
To prevent dating violence, early intervention in the form of comprehensive sex education and communication during or before adolescence can help build healthy positive relationships, learn to express intimacy and affection positively, and understand and establish personal boundaries during the teenage years. It can reduce the risk of dating violence. In addition dating violence risk factors are, for example, low self-esteem, poor self-management skills, lack of parental discipline or exposure to domestic violence, or drug and alcohol abuse.
Wrap Up
Sex education is more than sex, it is the key to building healthy relationships, self-esteem and gender equality, as well as better self-protection and prevention of violence. Consent is an important theme in sex education, helping to establish self-boundaries, rejecting unwanted behaviours and detaching from unhealthy relationships. Sex education affects a person’s sense of self, develops gender identity, builds self-esteem and body confidence.
