From Sex Education to “Sexuality” Education

Sex education in the US began to change significantly since the 1970s because of society’s changing values toward sex, the rise of HIV and the influence of feminism.

Today, the UN International Guidance for Sexuality Education (ITGSE) serves as a guide/framework to promote a sexually permissive and LGBTQ-charged education plan branded as “Comprehensive Sexuality Education” (CSE).

The UN ITGSE chose the word “sexuality” to include the “human body; emotional attachment and love; sex; gender; gender identity; sexual orientation; sexual intimacy; pleasure and reproduction” (Pg 17).

This choice of wording unnecessarily conflates behaviour with self-image and identity.

What is the UN ITGSE

The UN ITGSE was published in 2018 as an instruction manual promoting CSE to governments.

It claims “It is not a curriculum, nor does it provide detailed recommendations for operationalising CSE at country level. Rather, it is a framework based on international best practices, which is intended to support curriculum developers to create and adapt curricula appropriate to their context, and to Guidance programme developers in the design, implementation and monitoring of good quality sexuality education.” (Pg 13)

What is “Comprehensive”?

The UN ITGSE describes CSE as “a curriculum-based process of teaching and learning about the cognitive, emotional, physical and social aspects of sexuality” (pg. 16).

CSE believes that even though certain sexual behaviours and ideological concepts are seen as unacceptable in certain cultures, they should not be excluded (e.g. masturbation, sexual orientation, gender identity, same-sex unions and “parenting”). Therefore it is branded as “comprehensive”.

Goals of CSE

The UN ITGSE claims that CSE aims to provide scientific, incremental and culturally relevant information about the cognitive, emotional, physical and social aspects of sexuality (Pg 34).

It also claims to provide young people the opportunity to explore values, attitudes and social and cultural norms and rights impacting sexual relationships.

It also claims to teach life skills. You can explore each topic in our articles below.

While CSE may stem from “good” intentions and contain some positive elements, much of its contents are contestable or outrightly dangerous.