Why Comprehensive Sexuality Education is Not the Answer

For over two decades, international agencies have promoted the concept of “comprehensive sexuality education” and have sought the normative support of United Nations intergovernmental bodies, but the notion has failed to gain support from UN member states as a whole because of the controversial explicit content of these programs, as well as their challenges to parental authority and traditional sexual norms. This Definitions will explain what comprehensive sexuality education is and why it is so controversial.

What is Comprehensive Sexuality Education?

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), CSE is “a curriculum-based process of teaching and learning about the cognitive, emotional, physical, and social aspects of sexuality.” While it may be delivered both in and out of school, and in formal or informal settings, it is designed to begin at an early age and progress according to a curriculum through adolescence, and strongly emphasizes the importance of scientific accuracy.

Leading proponents of CSE include UNESCO, the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), and SIECUS, formerly known as the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, all of which provide curricula or guidelines for their creation.

While CSE advocates stress that it should be “age appropriate” and “culturally sensitive,” it remains highly controversial..

First, the definition of “age-appropriateness” is often disputed, and CSE curricula have generated outrage for introducing explicit sexual concepts at extremely young ages without the involvement of parents or over their objections including promoting moral relativism on homosexuality and transgenderism, and even encouraging children to experiment with and decide for themselves about their sexual orientation and gender identity.

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