A common misconception about sexuality education is that it is merely the teaching of intercourse and reproduction. However, it is a general term that can be defined as consisting of teaching about human sexuality, intimate relationships, human sexual anatomy, sexual activity, sexual orientation, gender identity and so on.
Illustration: Pinja Meretoja
Enough of calling masturbation a sin and sexuality education a subject about reproduction. Both youth and adults are a vital target group when talking about sexuality. Professionals working in education and with human well-being are all needed in the modernisation of sex education in Europe.
When considering the term ‘sexuality education’, what comes to mind is an image of spotty-faced teenagers in a school classroom with a banana stuffed in a condom.
However, under international human rights law everyone, regardless of age, has the right to control and decide freely on matters related to their sexuality. This includes the right to have access to sexual and reproductive health care information, education and services.
“We might think that, after reaching adulthood, we no longer need sexuality education,” says sex educator Katriina Bildjuschkin of the National Institute for Health and Welfare in Finland.
“But sexuality is part of health and well-being at any age, along with other elements of health such as nutrition, exercise, mental health, sleep and the use of intoxicants.”
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