We talk about mental health, we talk about physical health, but when it comes to sexual health and education, it’s a topic less covered. But before we go into why holistic sexuality education is important, first we need to expand our definition of sex education.
According to the World Health Organization, sexual health is “a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease.” Sexuality education is holistic (mind, body, spirit) and empowers people to protect their health and well-being. Many of the issues that people experience in adulthood in terms of their sexuality are a result of a lack of proper sex education. Sexuality is influenced by biological, psychological, social, religious, spiritual, and cultural factors and these are the factors we need to consider when it comes to educating people about it.
The Core Principles of Holistic Sex Education
Holistic Sex Education is: Comprehensive
Studies show that comprehensive education empowers people to make healthy choices. Comprehensive education acknowledges that sex is not merely about behavior but that there are also biological and relational aspects as well as the values one holds that shape an individual’s decisions and experiences.
Holistic Sex Education is: Evidence-Based
There are plenty of academic studies that research all aspects of sexuality. It is crucial that when we teach about sex we go straight to the scientific source.
Holistic Sex Education is: Shame Free
We are sexual beings created for pleasure. Rather than using fear and shame tactics to persuade people to make certain decisions, it’s important to offer evidence-based material and teach people how to make decisions for themselves as opposed to using emotionally-driven methods with the goal of changing behavior.
Holistic Sex Education is: Sex Positive
Sex is a good thing. Sex is powerful. When we know the truth and seek knowledge we can have sex life we desire.
Holistic Sex Education is: Age Appropriate
We are sexual beings, so educating and talking about sex should be normalized (and is a human right), teaching from a developmental perspective is key.
Holistic Sex Education is: Biopsychosocial
There are many factors that shape our sexual lives, and it’s important to consider and teach from those factors:
Bio- hormones, gender, anatomy, reproductive knowledge, etc.
Psycho- emotions, attitudes, beliefs, etc.
Social- culture, education, relationships, etc.
Spiritual- faith, religion, traditions, etc. and not just the physical aspects of sex is crucial.
Sexual health and relationship education improve sexual health on the basis that education empowers. As people are given access to factual information, they can make educated decisions that will impact their overall wellbeing in a positive way. More than a “healthy lifestyle”, wellbeing is concerned with the holistic person and how their spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health is. Having access to comprehensive sexual health information including; safer sex, contraceptives, STI’s, and relationship information including boundaries, healthy vs. unhealthy dynamics will influence a person’s health.
When people have access to health information through the appropriate avenues (medical, policies, education system, etc.) this will prevent negative health consequences both on an individual level and societal level. The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion emphasizes that all spheres of society play an active role in the promotion of health. I think that the Ottawa charter gives a comprehensive and preventive approach to health and well-being.
For further study on holistic sex education:
- Pizza Tedtalk https://www.ted.com/talks/al_vernacchio_sex_needs_a_new_metaphor_here_s_one?language=en
- The Ottawa Charter https://www.who.int/healthpromotion/conferences/previous/ottawa/en/
- Advocates for Youth https://www.advocatesforyouth.org/wp-content/uploads/storage//advfy/documents/fsest.pdf
- School-based sex education policies and indicators of sexual health among young people: a comparison of the Netherlands, France, Australia and the United States https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14681810500038889