In Brazilian schools there is not a specific subject about sex education. Still, in the humdrum events of daily life, children can watch spicy scenes in a soap-opera, a movie and even in the streets, or see a magazine picture. These situations may obviously provoke a natural curiosity in the children about sex. If there were sex education classes in school, then all the students would get enough information to learn everything they should know about it, so they can have a good and healthy sex life later, when they are ready to.

In fact, most parents do not feel comfortable to talk about sex with their children, and neither do the children. The teenagers usually get information only with friends, which is not something reasonable, since they probably rely on what they learnt from television programs, websites and web blogs that are not always reliable. Even if a father or a mother feels open to talk to their son or daughter about sex, they may not have enough recent information about sex or anything related to it. After all, we always have something to learn. For this reason it is necessary to have a well-trained professional who knows how to approach this theme to teenagers and also to their parents, because it is also important to them, since they probably still have doubts. This way, they would know that this subject should be faced seriously and if they can trust the teacher and the school.

It might be surprising that in the 21st century students may only get information about sex in Biology or Science classes. It is certainly not enough, since these subjects will not discuss everything related to sex. They usually focus on life matters such as “a baby is made through sexual intercourse between a man and a woman” and teaches about prevention, telling that “AIDS, HPV and syphilis are sexually transmitted diseases, so that is why it is important to always use a condom”. A sex education class would treat and discuss themes like early pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, contraceptive methods, menstrual cycle, masturbation, male and female reproductive systems and phases of the human development and of pregnancy. Besides, it is very important for the teacher of this subject to be prepared to deal with possible psychological issues some children may have – such as repression or sex abuse history –, and also the teacher needs to develop discussions about relationships, feelings, emotions and sexual orientation. Some Biology teachers may not be capable of doing this.

In countries such as United States or Canada, sex education programs have been in their syllabuses for decades. It is high time Brazil developed special classes to promote a healthy sex education to its youth.

Joyce2E & Daniella2E

Sex Ed should be at the basis of each school's syllabus. Especially in Brazil, a country which has a high level of teenage pregnancy. There should be investments and supervision towards ensuring the biological, psychological aspects and family planning. Saying that it encourages an early sex life is a fallacy. Children and teens are exposed to sex everyday through mass media, such as television and music. But high-quality information does not always come to their ears. The subject is a taboo, especially for the older generations, and this becomes a problem when parents are not discussing it with their children. The problems which a lack of information on the matter provoke, such as unplanned pregnancy and acquiring STIs (which cost a lot of money from the public health funds), are already enough reason for the government to create programs with qualified individuals to bring information to schools in even the most remote locations.

It seems to me this issue is more serious than we usually tend to consider.

Young people are engaging in sexual experiences very early these days, frequently with insufficient orientation to defend themselves against the related risks. When we look at the teen pregnancy rates and sexually transmitted diseases, for instance, it makes sense to have this particular type of education in the school curriculum.

Many parents find such talk uneasy and all these issues can be properly and smartly dealt within an educational setting by professionals.

Knowing more about such a crucial topic makes difference and sometimes can be life-altering

The theme "sexuality" has always been seen as a taboo, which means people rather ignore the subject than openly discuss it and therefore avoid undesired consequences. Nowadays, information about sex is available for eveyone but not everything is appropriated for the youngest generations. If Sex Education becomes mandatory in our schools, this might be a chance for teenagers to get helpful information that will guide them through this process of change and discovery that is adolescence. By doing that, the statistics for teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, rape, and other sex-related problems might change for the better, since the students will have enough acknowledgement to prevent these issues from happening.

Sex education should definitely be mandatory in Brazilian schools. Be clarified that sex education does not mean to teach how to have sex! Adolescents must be in touch with this sort of information, which sooner or later will be needed. Not specifically about sex, this type of education should include mainly the functioning of the body. But in school, the discussion of sex is always polemic, as parents hold widely divergent opinions about it. Sex as a social phenomenon should not be approached. Only physiological facts and information should be privileged. Sex and its practical consequences. One way or another, teenagers will get to know about it. Actually, these youngsters rarely talk about it at home. With older friends, in the internet, in the streets; it does not matter how or where. The fact is that they do need to be prepared to know how to act regardless of what their parents think about it. Information can never be too much.

To my mind, sex education should be thought in schools all the way through elementary school (5ª a 8ª série). This is a critical period which kids are becoming teenagers and dealing with so many changes in their bodies, minds and social groups. Of course it should be thought by psychologists very well trained to deal with those young minds that are starting to see life from a different angle. The bottom line for those classes should be INFORMATION. No one would be invited to talk about their own lives, they should learn that it is a very personal topic and it is not supposed to be shared or discussed in the classroom, however it also shouldn’t be a taboo: the teenagers have to be comfortable enough to ask their questions very naturally (without risking to feel embarrassed in front of the classmates) to people that are there to help them, only aiming their well being and happiness. Information, about anything, is never enough; we can always learn something new and acknowledge it for life. Adolescence is a very delicate phase in everyone’s life and having someone well prepared to help may become something priceless in those teenagers’ lives.

Absolutely. Sex education is very important, mainly nowadays. Children are getting access earlier and earlier to sex content and in a bad way (in most cases). If they were educated about this subject, in proper ways, since early age, a lot of problems such as early pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases spread, could be avoided. The chances of awareness when one is young is higher. Also, it is important to teach children how to behave, how to react and how to understand sex relationsip. We are living times in which sex is something openly discussed, widely explored, massified. Present. And, with it, sexual intolerance, as well. Thus, teaching children what sex is, a lot of issues would be vanished.