MANIFEST: SEKS EDUCATION HAS TO CHANGE
Times change, the digital world is taking a prevail. Knowledge is accessible 24/7 and our youth knows that all too well. How is it possible that they still use the same story when it comes to sexual education.
“There are guidelines, not obligations” said Desiree (teacher). She has been teaching for 25 years at an elementary school in Ermelo, and she has been trying to give a more modern explanation for sex education.
WEEK OF LOVE
In this “week of love” which she organizes yearly for 10-12 year olds, she addresses multiple aspects in regards to puberty and sexuality. “kids aren’t afraid to talk about as long as I make it discussable”, says Desiree.
Schools shouldn’t just give biology lessons about condoms, fertility and birth control, but also talk about pleasure, (gender) diversity and how to recognize and indicate boundaries. There are currently 37 youth organizations, social organizations and expertise centra pleading in a manifest, by initiative of knowledge centrum Rutgers to change the guidelines and make all these subjects discussable. The message is simple and clear; sexual education needs to change.
YOUTH GIVES A POOR 5.8
The youth indicates that the education leaves a lot to their imagination. It’s easier to talk about it at home, but the knowledge that needs to be conveyed is not talked about enough. The youth was asked to rate their schools sex educations, and the result was a poor 5.8.
STD’s have been talked about for decades. Mostly because of the knowledge about AIDS and HIV during that time. There is almost no shame to get tested for STD’s between younger people, as was tested by the CSG ( centrum for sexual health) . But talking about the intimacy, pleasure during sex and discovering what possibilities your body has to offer is simply not talked about enough during the sex ed lessons at school.
FEAR OF GIVING THE WRONG ANSWER
Desiree tells us that not all teachers feel comfortable to do this. “they’re great teachers but they simply have hard time talking about this with their students. Fear that they’re going to say the wrong thing, or not knowing the answer at all.” The parents are hesitant too, they tell us that not everything can be and is allowed to be said. Religious beliefs and ethnicity also play a part. All this together makes it a challenge to give not only the right information, but also what is suitable and desirable.
Offer
The manifest of Rutgers is supported by LAKS (het Landelijk Aktie Komitee Scholieren), LSVB (de landelijke studentenvakbond), GGD GHOR Nederland, lhbti-belangenvereniging COC, Soa Aids Nederland and others.
Rutgers recently passed it to minister Wiersma for primary and secondary education and Mariette Hamer, the government commissioner for sexually transgressive behaviour.
