Young people have reported how consent can be painted as a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ act, rather than an ongoing discussion between sexual partners.
Articles on relationships and sexuality education
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There are big gaps in the way schools approach gender, sexuality and respect. Teaching all students to be ‘porn literate’ is one way we can help make them safer.
A vocal minority is calling for sexuality education to be pulled from schools. But my research shows many parents and young people want and need safe places to discuss relationships and sex.
In new interview research, young people say sex education most often occurs without discussing actual sex.
Lots of kids wonder about this. Here are some of the basics.
Consent education now is patchy and inconsistent. Many schools focus exclusively on safety, which may come at the cost of the enjoyable benefits of human connection.
Consent doesn’t mean your sexual partner needs to sign a consent form at the beginning of an encounter. It means an ‘enthusiastic yes’, expressed through words or gestures.
A recent study explored fathers’ perceptions of sexuality and relationship education topics. It found most fathers considered their children’s safety a top concern.
Top contributors
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Sexologist & Lecturer and Research Fellow in Communications & Culture, Edith Cowan University
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Lelia Green is a Friend of The Conversation.
Professor of Communications, Edith Cowan University
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PhD Candidate, University of Tasmania
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Research fellow, La Trobe University
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Associate professor, School of Arts and Humanities, Edith Cowan University
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GP and Lecturer at Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney
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Postdoctoral research fellow, La Trobe University
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Lecturer in Public Health, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University
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Associate Professor in Criminology, The University of Melbourne
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Professor of Health Promotion, Curtin University
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Research Officer, Edith Cowan University
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Lecturer in Health Education, University of Canterbury