International Sex Education Day

Many educators and public health workers are committed to high quality, comprehensive sex education. February 2nd marks International Sex Education Day, and I can recall a couple of my sex education experiences from middle school. Some definitely better than others. I want to share one of the best ones.

I wish I could remember her name, but she was a creative teacher, which I really appreciate. She asked everyone from the class to bring in a song that related to sexuality. I instantly knew I would bring in a Christina Aguilera song! (The year was 2000 or 2001). I chose “When You Put Your Hands on Me”, a very obvious song about sex from her first album.

Being a 10 or 11 year old, I must have thought, this is so cool, I love music! I felt inspired. Looking back as an adult, I can acknowledge it can be such a challenge to get children interested in learning about anything. So, making a homework assignment about what most kids get excited about - music - makes so much sense.

The unfortunate part about this story, is that the teacher was let go. I am not sure if it was a rumor, but I heard she was fired because she mentioned flavored condoms to a class. Do middle schoolers need to know about flavored condoms specifically? No. But I highly doubt that was a legitimate reason for her to stop teaching us. Learning about the existence of condoms and how to use them correctly is one of the most important and most basic parts of sex ed.

There are still so many myths and a lack of understanding of bodies and sexuality. We need sex educators who have a creative mind with teaching, who care about public health. Sex education is as important as any other subject. It is how we all got to be born and so much more. Sexual health incorporates physical and mental health. How could we ignore that and instead give it a bad name as many do?

A huge thank you to all those who strive for better sex education - for middle schoolers like I was - and for people of all ages! Your work does not go unnoticed.

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