Right now there is a big push for consent-ed.
Don't get me wrong. We need to talk about consent.
But we don't JUST need to talk about consent.
When we teach teens 2 drive cars we don't just teach them the red/green/yellow traffic light & consider them skilled drivers.
/1
Don't get me wrong. We need to talk about consent.
But we don't JUST need to talk about consent.
When we teach teens 2 drive cars we don't just teach them the red/green/yellow traffic light & consider them skilled drivers.
/1
Yes we teach them how to read traffic lights and stop signs, but we also teach them how their own car works, how to interact safely with other vehicles, what changed conditions mean etc etc.
But people aren't cars. & gender relations aren't traffic conditions. Cont /2
But people aren't cars. & gender relations aren't traffic conditions. Cont /2
People & gender relations are immensely more complex. Which is why we need education to match.
And this education should start young. It should cover all aspects of sex and respectful relationship education, it should be informed by and led by experts and b expertly evaluated/3
And this education should start young. It should cover all aspects of sex and respectful relationship education, it should be informed by and led by experts and b expertly evaluated/3
It should accord with the National Association of Services Against Sexual Violence best practice guidelines (read more below) and young people should have a say in the education which is delivered to them. /4
abc.net.au/news/2017-02-2…
abc.net.au/news/2017-02-2…
Programs should not be 'one off' tick the box exercises.
They should acknowledge that young people bring tehir own strengths & skills to these discussions have the capacity for ethical decision making.
/5
They should acknowledge that young people bring tehir own strengths & skills to these discussions have the capacity for ethical decision making.
/5
As my friend and @RapeReform colleague @katrinaellen_zm (who is an expert in the field... holla at her, journos!) keeps reminding me, young people have a RIGHT to this education, and more than that, they WANT good education on this.
And why wouldn't they? Don't u remember... /6
And why wouldn't they? Don't u remember... /6
being young? I do. There was always an excited buzz about learning about sex or finding the only book in the jnr school library that had info on puberty.
&yet often when we speak about 'consent ed' or 'empathy classes' we act like we're telling naughty boys 2 eat their veggies/7
&yet often when we speak about 'consent ed' or 'empathy classes' we act like we're telling naughty boys 2 eat their veggies/7
As though sex ed is PUNISHMENT.
As though young people aren't inherently curious. As though young people don't WANT good relationships with others.
We need to rejig this convo.
We also need to ensure that education is accessible & inclusive of all genders.
/8
As though young people aren't inherently curious. As though young people don't WANT good relationships with others.
We need to rejig this convo.
We also need to ensure that education is accessible & inclusive of all genders.
/8
Finally, we need to treat this as human rights issue, a public health issue, a gender issue and an education issue all at once.
I know that's tough, and I don't have all the answers. But I'm sick of this debate being so oversimplified.
We need to hear from experts.
/Fin
I know that's tough, and I don't have all the answers. But I'm sick of this debate being so oversimplified.
We need to hear from experts.
/Fin
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