A perfectly clear message. The addressing of challenging issues and hopes of compliance through sexuality and relationship education

• Sexuality and relationship education is undoubtedly a politicised field, often subjected to debate as well as to hopes of positive development for people and society. To influence young people and make a difference regarding specific issues is central to the subject area, even though the focus has varied. The aim of this paper is to investigate how some topics that are, or have been, expressed as particularly urgent to convey through Swedish sexuality and relationship education, have been addressed and managed in practice. The paper is based on our previous and ongoing research on sexuality education and parental education in Sweden. The methods used for collecting material are qualitative and include interviews, observations, text analysis, and the engaging of participants in reflective writing. The analysis takes a theoretical and methodological departure in discourse analysis and in critical perspectives of power and education. The paper examines the addressing of different issues that in various ways are underlined as crucial knowledge for (different groups of) students, such as the myth of the ‘virginity membrane’, the criminal act of female genital mutilation and the high-lighting of affirmative consent to counteract sexual violence and harassment. Particular interest is directed towards how different pedagogical approaches are made intelligible and how conflicting rationales are taken into consideration by educators. The findings suggest that at the same time as dialogue and open discussions are viewed as key in sexuality and relationship education, the calls for taking a stand, telling the truth, or distinguishing legal from illegal actions, enhances certain logics of teaching above others. From an international perspective, Swedish and Nordic sexuality and relationship education stands out. The promotion of sexual health and rights, and prevention of risks, are often highlighted as an important part of meeting international standards. The relevance of researching sexuality and relationship education from a critical perspective is thus important, problematising both opportunities and barriers for learning.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Annan samhällsvetenskap -- Genusstudier (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Other Social Sciences -- Gender Studies (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Utbildningsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Educational Sciences (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Utbildningsvetenskap -- Pedagogiskt arbete (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Educational Sciences -- Pedagogical Work (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Utbildningsvetenskap -- Pedagogik (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Educational Sciences -- Pedagogy (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Sexuality education

power

critical pedagogy

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)