As the US rolls back the rights of LGBTQ+ children at school, France is poised to implement a significant overhaul of its sex education curriculum, introducing lessons on gender equality and consent in both public and private schools, with the initiative beginning as early as four years of age. The initiative, announced by French Education Minister Elisabeth Borne, is part of a broader effort to address sexual violence and promote respect in interpersonal relationships.
In an interview with France Inter, Borne underscored the necessity of educating young individuals about love, relationships, and sexuality, stating, “Education about love, about relationships and sexuality is absolutely essential.” This revised curriculum is set to be introduced after the upcoming summer holidays, mandating that schools conduct three sex education sessions annually at the primary, middle, and secondary levels.
The programme, as reported by Hear Her Stories, will ensure that even lessons for four-year-olds are handled with sensitivity. These early sessions will focus on teaching scientific terms for genitalia along with age-appropriate discussions regarding equality and consent. Borne has indicated that the materials will be carefully curated to match the maturity levels of students, incorporating interactive activities like role-play to facilitate understanding. For instance, young children will engage in exercises that help them articulate questions such as, “Can I hold your hand?” to familiarize them with the concept that it is perfectly acceptable to decline such advances.
As students progress to older age groups, the syllabus will encompass more complex discussions. By the age of 13, pupils will differentiate between biological sex, gender, and sexual orientation. At 14, topics will begin to explore the intricacies of sexuality, including pleasure, love, and reproduction. By age 16, students will delve into biological differences between genders while investigating how these distinctions do not dictate self-expression, roles, or behaviours.
Borne has assured parents that this approach to school-based sex education will complement, rather than replace, familial discussions about these essential topics. The proposed curriculum is now awaiting approval from France’s Higher Education Council.
Source: Noah Wire Services