Pleasure and Protection: Why Sex Ed Programs Should Teach About Both
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Researchers discovered that incorporating pleasure into sex education can increase people's willingness
to engage in safer sex practises
The Pleasure Project is a group that works for "bringing the erotic back into safer sex
Parents, according to experts, play a critical role in instilling sex positivity in children
Learning how to experience sex in a safe and joyful way begins with an open admission that sex feels nice
Sexual education frequently concentrates on all of the negative aspects of sex, such as unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted viruses (STIs).
Researchers believe that sex education is more effective when sexual pleasure is included in these discussions.
When educators realise that enjoyment is typically a primary goal of sex, according to the authors of a recent study published in the journal PLOS One, it helps enhance people's understanding and attitudes towards sex.
Their findings also show that it promotes safer sex practises and increases condom use compliance
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The research team opted to delve at the topic of pleasure in sex education since they felt it was understudied and mostly absent from most programmes.
They used a meta-analysis of the scholarly literature published between 2005 and 2020 to conduct their investigation.
The vast majority of the studies they looked at were from the United States. However, research from nations all over the world were included, including Brazil, Spain, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Nigeria, Mexico, and Singapore.
They discovered that introducing pleasure into sexual health and reproduction programmes can have a favourable impact on people's views toward sex when they looked at the data from these research.
When educators understand that sex can and should feel nice, it can also encourage safer sexual behaviours, such as condom use.
The authors finished their analysis by advising sexual health programmes to reconsider their tactics if they aren't already include sexual pleasure in their educational efforts, claiming that a sex-positive approach will result in more effective programmes.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) and The Pleasure Project, an advocacy group defined by research author and founder Anne Philpott as "bringing the sexy into safer sex," released the findings just before Valentine's Day.
According to Philpott, sexual health education has traditionally concentrated on what we should avoid or the harm that can occur if we have sex, which is an approach that doesn't work when it comes to changing behaviour.
Sexual activities and the reasons people engage in them are also stigmatised and taboo.
Furthermore, there are gender conventions that make it unacceptable for women, LGBTQIA+ people, and other marginalised groups to express themselves or their sexual identities.
"However, this has not served us well in the long run since it shames people into not learning the skills and knowledge they need to protect themselves," Philpott said.
"By emphasising 'good sex,' focusing on one of the fundamental reasons individuals have sex — the pursuit of pleasure — and embracing various desires and sources of satisfaction, we encourage sexual health and agency," she added.
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While institutional programmes such as sex education in schools exist to educate young people about sex, parents also play a vital role.
Parents often fear talking with their children about the positive aspects of sex, fearing that they'll encourage behaviours that lead to unintended pregnancies or STIs, according to Jennifer M. Grossman, PhD, a senior research scientist at the Wellesley Centers for Women who leads the Family, Sexuality, and Communication Research Initiative.
She pointed out that the evidence contradicts this.
"Talking about sexual pleasure is crucial, especially with teens and young adults," said Grossman, "since these are formative stages when people establish persistent beliefs about sex and relationships that continue over into adulthood."
"As a result, viewing sex as a negative behaviour may prevent adults from having healthy and positive sexual relationships," she noted.
She claims that avoiding the positives hinders you from talking openly with your child about the difficulties of using protection, as well as safe and healthy ways to feel pleasure, such as masturbation.
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"It's vital to know that you don't have to forsake a joyful, pleasurable sexual encounter in order to practise safer sex," Sara C. Flowers, DrPH, vice president of education and training at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, stated.
"Practicing safer sex actually helps you be more calm during sex because you don't have to worry about STIs or unwanted pregnancy," she explained.
Condoms, rather than detracting from your enjoyment, can actually boost it for both couples, according to Flowers. They are available in a variety of forms, shapes, and textures.
She also mentioned that putting on a condom can be a delightful aspect of foreplay.
Flowers went on to say that permission is an important aspect of having a
safer and happy sex life.
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