Sex Ed Redo

By Amy Berrafato, LMFT, CST

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Back-to-school mode always reminds me of different memories throughout my education: shopping for school supplies, summer reading lists, anticipatory stress of homework and tests, soaking up the last bits of summer, reconnecting with classmates. This transitional time of year prompts a reflective mindset for me, in all its nostalgia.

I recently watched (ok, binged) the Netflix series Sex Education (I highly recommend!), and I got to wondering about our own sex ed experiences. Many folks have received little to no education about sex, and while some school programs have come a long way, overall we still have a long way to go. I went to Catholic school my entire life, and let’s just say it was less than progressive.

What were you taught, if anything, in sex education at school? I polled friends and colleagues recently for their stories. A taste for you:

  • Sex=pregnancy=hell

  • Man plants a seed in woman’s garden

  • Grapefruit demonstration of “this is how big your testicles can get if you have an STD”

  • “Our Changing Bodies” curriculum, separated by gender

  • Tampon instruction manual (to be read on your own)

How about a redo here?! Sex often remains a taboo topic, especially within the school system, and the shame of keeping sex taboo can be carried through adulthood as we learn about ourselves, our wants/desires, and how to have healthy relationships. It’s amazing to consider where we’d be if our foundation of sexuality was one cultivated by a culture of openness, acceptance, compassion, and sex-positivity!

I’m reposting two great resources here for you to nerd out on: 

Enjoy!

Amy Freier