The surveys were conducted at the end of 2021 by DUO Onderwijsonderzoek & Advies, before the recent media coverage of sexually transgressive behaviour. The first survey, among 400 secondary school teachers, shows that more than half of teachers (55%) believe that sex education deserves more time. Three-quarters (72%) also believe that sex education should not only be compulsory in the lower years, but also in the upper years.
The second survey, among 550 teachers and 213 school leaders, shows that too few schools address important topics such as sexual pleasure (22%), consent (36%), sexual boundary violations (46%) and online safety (57%).
Government must take action
Rutgers and Soa Aids Nederland are calling on the new government to take the lead by giving sex education a permanent place in secondary education. Especially at the age when young people become sexually active. Only then can a new generation grow up with an understanding of diversity and respect for each other’s boundaries and desires.
Luc Lauwers, programme manager for sex education at Rutgers, therefore sees the survey results as a clear signal: “It is high time that sex education is developed with specific compulsory core objectives in the new curriculum. Not only for the lower years, but also for the upper years, as teachers indicate in the survey and young people have already stated in previous research. It is up to the new government to take the lead on this.”
Discovering the clitoris with a 3D model
The Week of Love, which starts on Monday, is dedicated this year to love for yourself. Young people are often focused on the other person in love, says Lisette Schutte, senior project officer at Soa Aids Nederland: “How do others see me? Am I normal? What does the other person want? This is also a phase of life in which young people discover their own identity. For example, in relation to sexual orientation, gender roles, self-image and their own body.” The Week of Love gives teachers tools to address these topics during lessons.
To get the conversation started, participating schools will receive a 3D clitoris this year. “In the spirit of the recently deceased professor of sexology Ellen Laan, we show that the clitoris is more than just that ‘button’. By gaining a good understanding of how the body works and discovering what feels good and what does not, there is more sexual pleasure, gender equality and balance between the sheets,” says Luc Lauwers.
Lessons about love throughout the country
The Week of Love takes place this year from 14 through 18 February 2022. The aim is to introduce schools in secondary education, practical education, secondary special education and vocational education to the theme of relationships and sexuality.