Sexualising children?

The rise of comprehensive sexuality education

Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) is promoted by supranational institutions such as UNESCO, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the European Parliament. It is taught in countries around the world as part of the formal school curriculum. As such, it is a powerful intervention into children’s lives. Proponents of CSE argue it is an effective means of reducing the risks associated with sexual activity and helps cultivate positive attitudes towards sex, sexuality, relationships, gender equality and gender identity. However, as this report sets out, there are many reasons to be concerned about the spread of CSE. 

There is little evidence of a direct link between the uptake of CSE and a reduction in underage sex or teenage pregnancy. Indeed, classes often focus little on the basic science of sexual reproduction and concentrate instead on broader themes such as sexuality and intimate relationships. This underscores the fact that the aim of CSE is to change children’s attitudes and behaviours and, in this way, implement broader social change. As such, the global imposition of CSE unwittingly involves children in an explicitly political project. 

An elite group of unappointed sexuality ‘experts’ assume reponsibility for inculcating children’s attitudes towards sex and relationships and claim the moral authority to dictate how people should think, feel and act in the most intimate areas of their lives. Through this, CSE challenges national sovereignty and, by promoting children’s rights, undermines the rights of parents. 

This report is in three parts. The first part explores what children are taught under the remit of CSE. Part two considers why CSE has become the vehicle for the promotion of a global political project. Finally, part three presents the case against CSE.