Common questions about sexuality and relationships education

Does sexuality and relationships education teach students how to have sex?

NO

It is much more than simply biology. Sexuality and relationships education begins at birth and continues throughout life. Learning about sexuality involves learning about a wide range of topics including sexual development, reproductive health, interpersonal relationships, emotions, body image, decision-making, values and gender roles (The Clarity Collective, 1990; World Health Organisation, 2002). It is much more than just teaching about sex.

Does teaching about sexuality at school take away from teaching about it at home?

NO

Parents and carers have the most significant influence on their child’s developing sexuality and are their primary sexuality educators. The messages young children receive from parents/carers about their bodies and relationships lay the foundation for future learning about sexuality.

Babies and young children naturally learn about their body through their experience of being cared for by the adults in their life and by exploring and touching their own bodies. Young children also learn by observing the relationships and roles of people around them. Children receive messages about sexuality from the way their questions about sexuality are responded to and answered by parents/carers ( Milton, 2000).

Research has shown that sexuality and relationships education programs result in increased parent-child communication about sexuality ( Latrobe University , 2008). Education services can work together with parents/carers to support one another in providing sexuality and relationships education. When this happens, children are supported to grow healthy and safe and develop a network of trusted adults with whom they can talk as well as seek help from if needed.

Are students in primary school too young to need information about sexuality?

NO

Children are learning about sexuality all the time, whether or not this is done formally by parents/carers or teachers. This learning takes place every day through observing adult relationships around them, and the images that they see portrayed in the media about gender, body image and relationships ( Milton, 2000).

For most boys and girls, puberty changes are experienced in primary school. Signs of puberty can commence at 9 years of age and so receiving sexuality and relationships education prior to the onset of puberty ensures boys and girls are prepared for puberty changes and are not embarrassed or frightened by them. (Blake, 2002; Ray & Jolly, 2002).

Does sexuality and relationships education encourage sexual behaviour in adolescents?

NO

Research demonstrates that sexuality and relationships education programs are more effective when given before young people become sexually active and when programs emphasise skills and social norms. Comprehensive sexuality and relationships education programs have been shown to help delay the onset of sexual activity and increase the adoption of safer sexual practices in sexually active young people (Senderowitz & Kirby, 2006).

If I don't feel comfortable isn’t it better not to say anything at all?

NO

It is quite common to feel uncomfortable talking about sexuality. However, it is important not to let this stand in the way of providing sexuality and relationships education and meeting curriculum requirements. Acknowledging personal discomfort is a useful point to begin and helps educators begin to plan to support themselves. Talking about and teaching sexuality becomes much easier with practice.

If children and young people are not provided with factual information from trusted sources like parents/carers and teachers, they are vulnerable to the often inaccurate and misleading information about sexuality from other sources, such as peers, television and other medias.

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