In recent years, a wind of modernity has started to blow on questions ofsex education. We remember for example that clitoris in 3D appeared in SVT class in 2016. But despite these advances, teenagers do not always dare to ask questions of their elders and often feel embarrassed, even more so when the problems of health get involved …
Of taboo which can have serious effects. In France, the number of uro-genital infections Chlamydia increased by 15% in 2017 compared to 2015, according to Public Health France. Things are not going much better on the UK side which, according to Public Health England, saw a 5% increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) diagnoses in 2019 compared to 2018. And what about gonorrhea, an STI caused by the bacteria called gonococcus also known as 'hot piss', which is still gaining ground in many European countries?
To better contain these phenomena and as part of the annual sexual health week in England, which took place from September 14 to 20, 2020, the media The Independent interviewed experts. in matters of adolescent sexuality. And here's what scares them …
Call a "pussy" a pussy
The first problem revealed by the British newspaper is above all communication. For Dr. Emma Chan, "One of the biggest taboos that frequently crop up around sexual health is the language itself – not having words for the sex acts or the parts of the body involved". The specialist explains that most of the time, the words used to talk about sex are seen as "big words", this is why open discussions on the subject may have "negative connotations". "Not having the correct language for body parts can seriously affect your ability to communicate your sexual health needs, including in healthcare settings.", continued Dr. Chan. To avoid unpleasant surprises, it is therefore essential to speak (this process so simple, but so complicated at times …)
The shame of STIs
If communicating about sex in general is not easy, what about STIs? Young people regard a positive test as "dirty or ashamed", according to Dr. Chan. And this can then prevent them from seeking advice from sexual health services. "We know that confidence, knowledge about using protections, contraception and how to access sexual health services are the best ways to stay healthy. Giving information and showing that it is normal to talk about these issues is the way forward ", she advises.
The judgment for porn conso
It's not a revelation, young people consume porn without their parents' knowledge, so it's important not to shame them when they do, Dr. Chan recalls. "In education, one gets the impression that discussions about pornography are often confused with debates about pornography consumption – and the morality of it. (…) Shaming young people because it .they watch pornography probably won't stop them from doing so – sexually explicit content online is so ubiquitous. ", explains the specialist. Hence the importance of discussions without guilt, so that teens can "have a space to explore questions and concerns that they may have".
Daddy sex education
When we remember our years of sex education, we usually think of condoms to unwind on bananas and stories of coitus between girls and boys. A reducing prism that we must get rid of, according to Dr. Chan. "Historically, sex and relationship education has been about learning how not to get pregnant '", which means that it only talks about penis-to-vagina relationships, between heterosexual and cisgender people (as opposed to transgender people). If this very biological vision of sex sometimes makes her more "acceptable" in an educational setting ", some feel excluded, like LGBTQI + people. "The solution is to always use inclusive language, to recognize that while the information we give is interesting, it may not be relevant to everyone in the room.", she explains. History to take into account (finally) all identities and orientations.
Fear of HIV / AIDS
Just like STIs, issues related to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remain in silence because they would be "shameful". This prevents, among other things, exchanges on the evolution of research. Another study participant, Dr. Brady recalls that with "effective treatment, people living with the virus cannot pass it on, and can expect normal and healthy lives." Not enough to forget to protect yourself, but to change your outlook on those affected and dare to be tested. "It is this stigma that makes people often afraid of getting tested", emphasizes the specialist. And be treated if necessary.
Not simple, the complexes
After many interviews with teenagers, Dr. Chan has found that they are uncomfortable when discussions about body image are brought up. It is therefore "really important to tackle the discomfort we feel about this, for example to avoid complexes on her vulva or penis. “In anatomy classes, we spend a lot of time discussing the different parts of the vulva and how they function normally and healthy. Students often give us spontaneous remarks when we present content on periods, vaginal discharge and childbirth. There are often a lot of sneers, real surprises and sometimes manifestations of disgust when we talk about the inner lips sticking out and visible, for example – which is quite normal and very common", recalls Dr. Chan. We cannot say it enough: each body is different, contrary to what the current standards want us to believe …
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