RSE Mythbusters
There are many misunderstandings about Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) which has led to criticism and backlash, both in Australia and internationally. We have unpacked some of the common misconceptions and concerns below, objections to RSE often arise due to fear and a lack of understanding about what RSE actually is [1].
MYTH: RSE should be the family’s responsibility.
Families play a vital role in RSE, and it’s a great idea to start conversations about bodies, relationships and love early. However, not every family feels confident or equipped to have these discussions, so it’s important that RSE programs work in partnership with families to ensure all young people have access to evidence-based, medically accurate information about relationships and sexuality [2]. Schools can be a really useful way to ensure all young people receive the same kinds of messages as their peers. It’s also a great way for a young person to hear the perspectives of people similar to them.
MYTH: RSE teaches values that don’t align with the family or school.
Good RSE programs align with school values [3], but should also provide people with evidence-based and medically accurate information about relationships and sexuality. An important element of RSE is for people to identify what is important to them (which may or may not align with their family’s values) and to hear alternative perspectives. RSE is not intended to tell people what to think. In fact, a major part of RSE is to promote critical thinking skills so that participants can critique media messages about love, sex and relationships [4]. Individual family values pertaining to sex and relationships can still be discussed within the home, thus supporting the messages delivered through RSE programs.
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MYTH: RSE shouldn’t be taught to young children.
RSE is much more than ‘sex education’ and there are many issues that can and should be addressed in an age-appropriate way, starting in the early years of primary school [5]. In younger years, programs may explore topics such as learning how to be a good friend, recognising emotions and naming body parts with correct names. Developing these skill' s build foundations of respect, bodily safety and help-seeking behaviours, which play an important role in preventing abuse [6].
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MYTH: RSE sexualises children and promotes sex.
RSE acknowledges that some people choose to be sexually active, and some do not, but it also equips people with the skills and confidence to make strong, healthy choices about their sexuality that are right for them. This includes their right to abstain from sex, and to keep themselves and their partners safe if they do choose to have sex. Decades of evidence about RSE shows that when it is delivered well, it actually delays sexual activity, and reduces the likelihood of contracting sexually transmissible infections or experiencing sexual assault [7]. In contrast, abstinence-only education actually results in poorer sexual health outcomes [8]
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MYTH: RSE encourages children to become gay or transgender.
Gay and transgender experiences are not a new phenomenon and have always existed across cultures. The international medical community do not consider these identities to be a “choice” or a mental health condition. They are simply a part of the diversity of human experience. Talking about a range of perspectives and experiences doesn’t encourage particular identities, instead it promotes acceptance and respect, challenges homophobia and transphobia [9], promotes inclusion and gives people words to describe something that they may already be experiencing.
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MYTH: RSE will teach my child how to masturbate.
RSE programs do not teach children how to masturbate. They do, however, teach children personal safety skills to help prevent sexual abuse. These topics should be incorporated into discussions around healthy sexuality, and as a result, some children may report more positive feelings about their own bodies (recognising for example that it is okay to touch one’s own genitals) [10].
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MYTH: Teachers will show children porn.
RSE teachers do not show porn to children as it is illegal to show sexually-explicit material to anyone under the age of 18 [11]. RSE programs should include some discussion about porn as many young people today will see it from a young age [12]. It is important that people develop the literacy skills to critically analyse harmful gender stereotypes, risky behaviours and the lack of consent they see on screen. They need to understand that porn is a performance and fantasy, and not how most people choose or want to have sex in real life.
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[1] International Technical Guidance on sexuality Education. UNESCO, 2018
[2] International Technical Guidance on sexuality Education. UNESCO, 2018
[3] Pound et al, 2017
[4]International Technical Guidance on sexuality Education. UNESCO, 2018
[5] Pound et al, 2017
[6] Goldfarb & Lieberman, 2020
[7] Pound et al, 2017
[8] Pound et al, 2017
[9] Goldfarb & Lieberman, 2020
[10] Kenny et al, 2008
[11] https://gdhr.wa.gov.au/-/is-it-illegal-to-watch-porn-if-you-are-under-18-
[12] Henry & Talbot, 2019