More support needed for teachers of sexuality education
March 10, 2015
Extensive professional development is urgently needed for teachers of sexuality education, University of Canterbury
education experts say.
Lecturer Tracy Clelland, Associate Professor Penni Cushman and Dr Eva Brown-Hadjukova say support for teachers is needed
immediately if they are to have the knowledge and skills to ensure students develop respectful attitudes and positive
relationships.
New sexuality guidelines for schools are to be released shortly by the Ministry of Education. The University of
Canterbury researchers have been investigating knowledge and attitudes of students enrolled in a new sexuality education
course of the Bachelor of Health Science.
Associate Professor Cushman says that students surveyed, before the course started, have expressed concerns about
compulsory sexuality education in schools, especially for young children. The students say they were not able to fully
articulate the difference between sex education and sexuality education.
Many of the university students felt they did not have enough adequate sexuality education at school unless they had
opted to take senior NCEA Health, which is only available at some schools.
“They expressed concern for the lack of knowledge and skills that some teachers have in this area. A significant change
in level of knowledge and attitudes towards sexuality was apparent among the students we surveyed. The students'
understanding of sexuality shifted from a narrow biomedical perspective towards a more holistic understanding of
sexuality that included the emotional, social, intellectual and ethical aspects of sexuality in addition to the
physical.
“Every student we surveyed mentioned the need for compulsory sexuality education for years 1 to 13 school students. They
agreed that the earlier students could learn how to build personal identity and self-worth, develop healthy
relationships, manage feelings and emotions, and care for their bodies, the more likely young people will be to make
decisions that have a positive impact on their own and others’ wellbeing.
“Our research data indicated that students gained a greater awareness of current sexuality issues. Issues highlighted by
the students included the negative effects of pornography on relationships, the lack of effective sexuality education in
schools, gender inequities, early sexualisation, gender stereotyping, early onset of puberty, and the negative influence
of media on body image.
“Students told us some parents do not feel comfortable talking to their children about sexuality and young people may be
more likely to be influenced by sources such as peers, the media or friends.
Research data indicated that over the semester long course students' attitudes became more accepting and respectful of
diversity. This suggests we can develop positive attitudes towards our own and others’ sexuality through education and
that it is vital that all sexuality education teachers are given extensive professional development,’’ Associate
Professor Cushman says.
ends