"Individual advocates for mandatory sex education in schools, arguing that current practices are reminiscent of medieval times."

A candid chat about sex ed in schools

Maria Rita Parsi, a psychologist and child development whiz, is all for making sex education a compulsory subject in schools. "Hell yeah!" she exclaims.

Now, the Minister of Education, Valditara, has clarified that sex ed expansion will require families' prior written consent, complete with content details, objectives, and teaching methods.

"But why in blazes make it optional?" Parsi questions. "History, Geography, and Latin can be dropped, but sex ed, which deals with emotions and self-discovery, is crucial and should be mandatory, part of the core curriculum. It sure seems like they're treating it like some 'filthy' secret."

One may wonder if sex ed even finds its way into elementary schools.

"Absolutely not, and that's a monumental mistake," Parsi argues. "Sex ed isn't just about body knowledge, it's about self-awareness, empathy, and emotion understanding. We need to help kids navigate their bodies, but more importantly, their emotions. And teaching them that empowers them to defend themselves from abuse."

Quoting Article 30 of the Constitution, the Minister said, "parents have the right and duty to educate their kids."

"Of course, the family is the primary educator, where basic societal norms and respect are learned," Parsi says. "But schools play a crucial role too. School should be common ground for everyone."

One might ask if giving parents the choice in sex ed could make school experiences unequal?

"Good heavens, no! Are we saying that only kids with 'progressive' families get access to this essential subject, while others miss out?" Parsi exclaims. "This subject is about feelings, correct behaviors, and learning to discern between stereotypes, navigate the digital world, and more. This Ministry's approach makes it seem like these lessons are some 'taboo', 'forbidden' territory, perpetuating stereotypes, false beliefs, and harmful behaviors."

We're living in 2025, and yet, this essential subject is still a topic of debate. Why?

"We're decades behind, and it's high time we catch up."

There are those who fear this lesson could become a 'play time' hour...

"When lessons are engaging, students love to learn," Parsi says. "School should be a diverse cultural and social hub, hosting discussions, new subjects, like digital citizenship, or sex education. If I could say one thing to Valditara? One hour of sex ed is a cornerstone in building a virtuous future and healthy families. If you want to take responsibility for bringing kids into the world, you must first understand yourself. The problem isn’t just teaching boys; it’s also teaching the teachers. And in every school, there should be an anthropo-psycho-pedagogical team to address adolescent discomfort before it's too late. It seems here we're addressing a secondary issue, a mere whim, while sex ed—and emotional learning—is essential."

Enrichment insights:

In various countries, cultural, political, and religious factors contribute to sex education's absence from school curricula. Italy, for instance, proposes parental consent for sex education due to conservative values and the Catholic Church's influence on policy decisions. Meanwhile, countries like the Netherlands and Sweden mandate comprehensive, inclusive programs. Despite international organizations advocating for comprehensive education's benefits, implementation remains contentious due to traditionalist political views and resistance to centralized mandates without parental oversight. The United States is an example of inconsistent sex ed content and quality, with states requiring sex education and federal funding supporting abstinence-only programs.

Maria Rita Parsi, a psychologist, advocates for making sex education a mandatory subject in schools, arguing that it's crucial for emotional and self-discovery development.
The Minister of Education, Valditara, has stated that sex ed expansion will require families' written consent, but Parsi questions why it's optional, comparing it to essential subjects like History and Geography.
Parsi emphasizes that sex ed isn't just about body knowledge, but also about self-awareness, empathy, and emotion understanding, helping children navigate their emotions and defend themselves from abuse.
Quoting Article 30 of the Constitution, the Minister mentions that parents have the right and duty to educate their kids, but Parsi stresses the importance of schools as a common ground for everyone.
Parsi expresses concern that giving parents the choice in sex ed could make school experiences unequal, suggesting that it could reinforce stereotypes, false beliefs, and harmful behaviors, perpetuating a taboo around sexual health and wellness education.