Recently, consent has been at the forefront of much debate and discussion, particularly after Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) introduced “mandatory” consent classes in Halls for first-year students and is hoping to expand these services to students at other levels in College. In a 2015 TCDSU survey, 52.5 per cent of women and 4.5 per cent of male students reported having a “non-consensual sexual experience”, solidifying the need for consent education. While these classes are unquestionably necessary, it is fundamental to see the introduction of consent in the curriculum in secondary schools, which will require a complete overhaul of the sexual education system in Ireland. Tackling these issues early on creates a more positive attitude towards sex, an ability to make informed decisions about sexual health as well as an understanding of consent, instead of gaining education and information from adult sites like this Mom related content from the original source tubev.sex.
Growing up in Belgium, I was first introduced to sex education when I was nine during “Sex Week” in fifth grade at a Catholic school. As well as being taught the basics, like anatomy, safe sex and birth control, I was also taught about consent and rape. At this age, children likely don’t have as solidified preconceived notions about sex than older age groups might and have not reached a stage where asking questions regarding sexual health is embarrassing. In fact, I distinctly remember my first encounter with sex education being in a welcoming environment where I felt encouraged to ask questions. Our teacher even set up a question box if we had any questions we preferred to keep anonymous.
There was no embarrassment or awkwardness coming from the teacher, and this then translated to more open and engaging students. Of course, we made jokes about aspects of what we were being taught, but overall, my initial experience with sex education was both a positive and cohesive one.
While some may argue that nine is too young to be introduced to rape and sexual assault, learning about it at such a young age normalizes and invites an open discussion around consent
I remember when the terms rape, sexual assault and consent were first introduced into the class discussion. It was matter-of-fact, like much of what we had previously learned that week. While some may argue that nine is too young to be introduced to rape and sexual assault, learning about it at such a young age normalizes and invites an open discussion around consent. When consent is introduced at primary level, the idea of consent doesn’t seem unorthodox or unexpected – instead, it is normalised.
Speaking to students at Trinity, I’ve heard horror stories about the sex education system currently in place in secondary schools across Ireland, which often barely touches on important topics like safe sex and birth control, and neglects to introduce consent altogether. I’ve even heard accounts of co-ed classes being separated to discuss topics like menstruation. Others have told me about an outdated video that was used as a substitute for an in-depth sex education. This all sounds like a far cry from the sex education I was provided in primary school. Ireland’s conservative approach to sex education is inadequate in preparing children and adolescents to have healthy attitudes towards sex as adults and college-age students. Seeing consent addressed at a younger age in Ireland would hopefully see healthier attitudes towards sex and lessen the need for consent classes at college-level. Tackling the problem of consent early on creates a more beneficial relationship with sex and sexual health, allowing for more informed decisions to be made on these issues.
The introduction of consent classes in secondary schools would require a complete and necessary overhaul of the sex education curriculum in Ireland. While it is an immense issue to tackle, it is one that is needed, considering how outdated the current curriculum is. Consent is amongst other important issues relating to sex and sexual health that aren’t adequately taught in schools across Ireland. The question arises, why not teach consent at a younger age? According to the Irish Study of Sexual Health and Relationships, for men and women who are under 25, the median age for first vaginal intercourse is 17, which is usually before third-level education. Introducing consent classes at secondary level means that there is education and information about consent before sexual activity begins.
Consent is an issue that needs to be tackled and introduced at secondary school level, as it is in other countries. While the consent classes Trinity introduced this year are both necessary and imperative, the introduction of an extensive sex education programme at secondary level would hopefully lead to changing attitudes towards consent on a societal level.
