Sexual Rights series: The right to information on sexuality
The second sexual right is the right to access to information on sexuality.
The purpose of sexual education is to provide versatile information on sexuality and sexual rights. Sexual education provides the information and skills that individuals need to understand and enjoy their sexuality, to establish safe and satisfying relationships and to assume responsibility for their own sexual health and well-being and that of others. Sexual education is important throughout life, but especially in the development phase during one’s youth, questions related to sexuality, growth, relationships, emotions, self-image and sexual health are particularly topical. Read more about the sexual development during youth and about puberty. It is very important for the well-being and development of young people that they receive answers to questions that they find confusing.
Sexual education must be comprehensive, as sexuality is a very wide-ranging and multidimensional issue. It is not enough for sexual education to focus on providing information only on the physical aspects of sexual activity or on the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. An equally important part of sexual education is examining relationships, interaction skills, the development of sexuality, gender roles and norms, and sexual and gender identity from different perspectives.
Sexual education can be used to eradicate society’s harmful gender norms and to promote equality. When talking about such things as sex and contraception it is important to take the diversity of sex into consideration. There are many kinds of sex, and it is good to remember that intercourse is only one form of sex. Sexual education must highlight the enjoyment, consent and interaction of all parties involved in sex. In this way, the image of sex, sexuality and gender roles is diversified and the individual’s possibility of a happier and more enjoyable sex life and relationships increases.
Remember that it is your sexual right to receive information and answers to your questions. You can also take a look at the Family Federation of Finland’s Services for Young People, where you can find a great deal of information about sexual rights and a sexual counselling chat where you can discuss issues related to sexuality with professionals.