Why sexuality education

Sexuality education involves learning about feelings, relationships, gender roles, body image, sexual development and reproductive health. It supports children to develop personal and interpersonal skills to recognise, name and express their feelings appropriately and to develop their communication and negotiation skills.

Sexuality education supports and provides children with the opportunity to develop and explore:

• attitudes, values and insights - providing opportunities for young people to question, explore, and assess sexual attitudes
• relationships and interpersonal skills - supporting young people to develop interpersonal skills
• responsibility - assisting young people to exercise responsibility regarding sexual relationships
• information - providing accurate information about human sexuality

(National Guidelines Task Force, 2004)

Sexuality education involves more than teaching facts. It is also about providing opportunities for children to:

• feel good about being male or female
• appreciate their own bodies
• practice making healthy decisions
• develop and maintain healthy relationships
• express love and affection in appropriate ways

Through sexuality education, children also have opportunities to:

• be able to name parts of the body and to describe how their bodies work
• be able to talk about their bodies and ask for help if they need to
• be prepared for pubertal changes
• develop confidence and skills in talking, listening, and thinking about relationships and feelings

(Sex Education Forum, 2002)

References