As parents and caregivers, it’s natural to feel a bit uneasy when the topic of sex education, or what we call “healthy human sexuality education” comes up. Yet, avoiding these conversations can have unintended consequences for our children. When young people lack access to reliable and healthy sex education, they may feel too embarrassed to approach their parents and instead seek answers from search engines, friends, or increasingly, online pornography. Unfortunately, these sources are not always reliable or safe, leading to misinformation and unhealthy attitudes toward healthy human sexuality.
Research has consistently shown that comprehensive healthy human sexuality education can have a significant positive impact on young people. It doesn’t just provide them with essential knowledge – it also helps reduce instances of teenage pregnancies and medical challenges such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
When young people are armed with accurate, evidence-based information, they are better equipped to make informed decisions about their sexual health. However, when sex is a taboo topic, teens are left to “go it alone” trying to piece together their understanding from whatever sources they can find. This can lead to uncomfortable, unwanted sexual experiences, pregnancy, medical concerns, and in some cases, even sexual assault.
In today’s onlife world, it is a reality that young people look to the internet for answers. A quick internet search on sex can bring up an overwhelming amount of information – some of it helpful, but much of it misleading or even harmful. Without guidance, teens may not be able to distinguish between reliable resources and those that promote myths or unhealthy stereotypes surrounding sexual intimacy.
Additionally, many teens turn to free pornography, such as Pornhub (or what the kids call “The Hub”), as a source of sex education. This is particularly concerning, as pornography often portrays unrealistic and sometimes dangerous representations of healthy human sexuality, consent, and relationships. Friends may also be a source of information, but peer knowledge is often incomplete and based on rumors, misconceptions, or what they read or watched on the internet as well.
The good news – parents can play a crucial role in guiding their children toward healthy, informed attitudes about healthy human sexuality. By fostering open age-appropriate conversations and providing access to reliable resources, you can help your teen navigate the complexities of sexual health.
Start by creating an environment where your teen feels comfortable asking questions. This might mean overcoming your own discomfort, but it’s important to approach these discussions with empathy and honesty. Remember, if your teen doesn’t feel they can come to you, they’re more likely to seek out information from less reliable sources.
Consider introducing books or online sites and resources that are evidence-based and supported by subject matter experts – we offer several links to such resources. (1) These materials can provide your teen with accurate information and answer many of the questions they might be too embarrassed to ask. Having these resources readily available also shows your teen that you are supportive of their learning and understanding of this important aspect of their life.
While parents play a vital role in healthy human sexuality education, and contrary to what some parents believe, schools also have a crucial part to play in our opinion which is also supported in the research.(2) Schools are in a unique position to provide comprehensive healthy human sexuality education to all students, ensuring that every young person has access to accurate, unbiased information, regardless of their home environment. By including healthy human sexuality education as part of the curriculum, schools can help normalize these discussions and ensure that all students receive the knowledge they need to make informed decisions surrounding the topic of this article.
Comprehensive healthy human sexuality education in schools is designed to be age-appropriate and inclusive, covering a wide range of topics from anatomy and reproduction to consent, healthy relationships, and online safety surround issues such as online sextortion. This education is based on scientific evidence-based research and is developed by experts to address the real-life needs and challenges that young people face today. Do we believe that parents should have the right have their child “opt out” from such education? – yes! However, the good research shows that those youth are at higher risk.
It’s a reality that some parents may not discuss healthy human sexuality with their children at all. In these cases, schools become the last, best hope for ensuring that young people receive the education they need to make informed decisions before engaging in any form of intimacy. Knowledge, along with the understanding and application of that knowledge, is empowering.
In recent years, sex education in schools has come under fire from certain groups who claim that teaching children about sex is akin to “grooming” them for sexual behavior. These groups argue that by providing students with information about human sexuality, schools are now encouraging or even pressuring children to engage in sexual activities prematurely. However, this misconception not only distorts the purpose of sex education, but it also jeopardizes the well-being and safety of young people.
Healthy human sexuality education is designed to equip students with accurate, age-appropriate information about their bodies, relationships, consent, and sexual health. Its primary goal is to empower young people with the knowledge they need to make informed, responsible decisions about their sexual behavior. Comprehensive healthy human sexuality education includes teaching about consent, healthy relationships, sexual orientation, and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies.
Far from promoting sexual activity as some parents and caregivers believe, good evidence-based research shows that comprehensive sex education can delay the age of first sexual experience and reduce risky behaviors. (3) By learning about the potential consequences of sexual activity, students are better prepared to set boundaries, respect others, and make choices that align with their values and readiness.
The rhetoric that labels healthy human sexuality education as “grooming” is not only misleading but also harmful. It fuels fear and distrust among parents and communities, undermining efforts to provide young people with the education they need to protect themselves. Without access to reliable information from trusted sources like schools and subject matter experts, students are left to seek answers elsewhere (especially if parents or caregivers are not engaged on this topic with their kids) often from the internet, peers, or even pornography, which can expose them to dangerous myths and unhealthy attitudes about sex.
Also, these claims divert attention from the real purpose of healthy human sexuality education – to foster healthy emotional, psychological, physical, and social development and well-being. By stigmatizing sex education, special interest groups risk pushing vital discussions about consent, boundaries, and respect into the shadows, where misconceptions and harmful behaviors can thrive unchecked.
Fact – evidence based healthy human sexuality education can actually prevent real “grooming” when it comes to online sexual predation and exploitation! (4)
Yes, schools can play a crucial role in providing balanced, fact-based education on a wide range of topics, including healthy human sexuality. This education is not about encouraging sexual behavior but about empowering young people to make informed choices. By supporting comprehensive healthy human sexuality education, we ensure that students receive the knowledge they need to navigate the complexities of relationships and sexual health safely and responsibly.
However, there is no doubt when schools and parents work together, they can provide a consistent and supportive framework for young people to learn about healthy human sexuality and relationships. This partnership ensures that students receive accurate age-appropriate information from multiple trusted sources, reinforcing the messages they hear at home and helping to dispel myths and misconceptions. Having presented to over 645,000 youth, we can share with you that myths and misconceptions surrounding this topic are a plenty.
Healthy human sexuality education is not just about the bio-mechanics of reproduction – it’s about equipping young people with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed, respectful, and consensual decisions about their bodies and relationships. By openly discussing healthy human sexuality and providing comprehensive resources, parents can help ensure that their teens are well-prepared for the challenges and responsibilities that come with growing up.
Open, honest, age-appropriate communication, both at home and in the classroom, is key to helping teens develop a healthy and informed understanding of sexual intimacy and relationships. It’s a shared responsibility that can have a lasting, positive impact on our children’s lives.
By fostering open and honest conversations at home, and ensuring comprehensive evidence-based education in schools, we can provide teens with the accurate, age-appropriate information they need to make informed and respectful choices when it comes to healthy human sexuality. This collaboration is crucial in combating the myths and misconceptions that teens often encounter online or from peers. Together, parents and educators can create a supportive environment that empowers young people to navigate their sexual health with confidence and responsibility, safeguarding their well-being.
Ultimately, the goal is to empower young people with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate their sexual health with confidence, respect, and responsibility. By fostering open communication and ensuring access to reliable information, we can help teens make informed choices that protect their physical, emotional, and relational well-being, preparing them for a lifetime of healthy relationships.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
Fact Not Feat, Fact Not Emotion, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Teach
1/ https://thewhitehatter.ca/online-pornography-and-hypersexualization/
2/ https://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X(20)30456-0/fulltext
3/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8296525/
4/ https://thewhitehatter.ca/online-sexual-predation-and-exploitation/
