Holistic Sex Education: A Tool for Preventing the Reproduction of a Machismo Culture
Holistic Sex Education: A Tool for Preventing the Reproduction of a Machismo Culture
Tuesday, 8 July 2025: 09:00
Location: SJES028 (Faculty of Legal, Economic, and Social Sciences (JES))
Oral Presentation
Comprehensive sex education not only promotes physical well-being, but also aims to ensure emotional, mental, and social well-being. The aim of the investigation is to demonstrate how the absence or lack of sex education (ES) programs has negative consequences not only on the personal development of individuals, but also on the entire community. In the initial exploratory analysis the European context was considered, from the results it was possible to divide the countries into three different blocks formed by countries representing three different ES models. This analysis revealed a fragmented situation with little attention to the needs of young people.
Next, attention was directed to the Italian context through an online survey to understand the impact the media has on access to information and taboos related to sexuality. The results showed that Italian schools are not perceived as an adequate source of information on these issues unlike the Web. In order to understand what is happening in Italian school contexts, semi-structured interviews were conducted with teachers in Naples's elementary, middle and high school institutions, with the aim of obtaining information on their opinions about ES.
The results of the interviews showed great inhomogeneity in terms of geographic distribution, sponsoring entities and goals of sex education programs. Most of the initiatives focus on STI prevention, neglecting the importance of a holistic approach to ES, which could also bring tangible benefits at the societal level, such as achieving greater gender equality and reducing homotrans-phobic discrimination. In addition, holistic ES develops young people's ability to relate in respect of themselves and others.
In conclusion, ES emerges as a crucial tool for preventing and countering the spread of a masculinist culture while fostering the creation of a more inclusive society.
Next, attention was directed to the Italian context through an online survey to understand the impact the media has on access to information and taboos related to sexuality. The results showed that Italian schools are not perceived as an adequate source of information on these issues unlike the Web. In order to understand what is happening in Italian school contexts, semi-structured interviews were conducted with teachers in Naples's elementary, middle and high school institutions, with the aim of obtaining information on their opinions about ES.
The results of the interviews showed great inhomogeneity in terms of geographic distribution, sponsoring entities and goals of sex education programs. Most of the initiatives focus on STI prevention, neglecting the importance of a holistic approach to ES, which could also bring tangible benefits at the societal level, such as achieving greater gender equality and reducing homotrans-phobic discrimination. In addition, holistic ES develops young people's ability to relate in respect of themselves and others.
In conclusion, ES emerges as a crucial tool for preventing and countering the spread of a masculinist culture while fostering the creation of a more inclusive society.