Parenting Guide

Talk Sex (Ed) To Me: What Is The 'Sexual Climate' in Your Child's School?

Published by SchoolAdvisor | May 15, 2015
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Let's have an honest discussion about sex. Schools are just like your office environment. Co-workers might have a sexual relationship with each other. An older colleague might be using covert sexual imagery while talking to you, making you feel extremely uncomfortable and embarrassed.

Now, imagine your child being in a similar situation in school. How would you deal with teacher-student sexual relationships? What do you do when your child is taunted at school with sexual slurs? What do you do when she or he is too uncomfortable with his/her own body to even change in a shared locker room after Physical Education class?

This is what 'sexual climate' is about. Offices have their sexual climate. So do schools. All schools have a physical, social and academic environment, all of which directly contribute to sexual health and safety.

As a parent, you would want teachers to be a safe place for your children to confide to, and not for them to be sexual predators instead. But, how would we know all this? Sexual predators are deceptive. They might hide behind a veneer of politeness, good humor and intellect. How do we truly ensure our children are safe in their school?

Here are a few factors to look out for when choosing a school:

A Good Understanding of Psychosexual Developmental Stages of  Students

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The school staff must have an adequate knowledge of what is considered appropriate behavior for students of different levels. They must also have the tact and discretion to  guide students who  might have been exposed to pornography at an early age.

Honest discussion is crucial. Students who might have been made to feel bad for having sexual feelings will almost always never confide in any adult figure again.

An Environment of Mutual Respect

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There must be mutual respect practiced among the students and the staff as well as between people with different sexual orientations. Adolescence is a time where students discover more about themselves, particularly their sexual orientation.

The school staff must be careful not to judge any students or to force their own personal beliefs on the developing minds of their students.

Privacy in Changing Rooms and Shower Cubicles

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All students have different temperaments and upbringing. Some might have reservations about changing in front of a classmate while others might be completely comfortable with it. Schools must be careful to provide a safe environment for their students with appropriate adult supervision.

No student should be made to feel embarrassed or uncomfortable about their body. Education and instilling compassionate behavior in students is much needed.

Quick Response to Real and Perceived Threats

The administration must be tactful, open minded and understanding when complaints about bullying, rumor spreading and sexual taunts are made. Schools must understand the trauma and pain of a student who is sexually victimized.

It isn't easy for a victim to come forward and to be honest about their ordeal. Therefore, utmost support must be provided to him or her without judgment.

Healthy Sexual Climate for Learning

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Sexual education need not be taught in isolation. It can be merged with language art and history lessons where the students are provided a safe environment to express how they feel about topics such as sexually transmitted infections, abortion, early pregnancy, safe sexual practices, intimacy and knowing the difference between a 'good' and 'bad' touch.

When students feel safe in the presence of non-judgmental adults, they will thrive and grow to be confident, self-assured adults themselves.

Always remember that as adults, we have an obligation to provide an open channel of communication for the younger generation to voice their concerns and fears. Providing a safe 'sexual climate' in schools is the responsibility of all staff and parents. Use this checklist by Dr. Janet Rosensweig to assess the sexual climate in a school.