Sexuality education in early childhood

This chapter has offered an overview of the way that dominant discourses of childhood, innocence, and sexuality perpetuate and reinforce the belief that sexuality education is either irrelevant or inappropriate to children. However, this research demonstrates children’s understandings of sexuality are largely framed through discourses of heteronormative gendered relationships, and that love, desire, and relationships are very much part of their daily interactions with peers. Children are often building their own knowledge around sexuality from the bits and pieces of information they get from others. Much of this knowledge is based on misinformation and stereotypes that they can carry through into their adolescence and early adulthood. What this research also highlighted is that one can get through childhood and adolescence without any comprehensive sexuality education in the home or in schools. The taboos around sexuality are learnt early and the conversations that parents often plan to have with their children when they get older are already jeopardized as a result. Sexuality education in the early years is important: for building children’s literacy around sexuality; to increase their confidence to explore difference ways of expressing their gender and sexuality; to challenge peer pressure; to take responsibility for their decisions and actions; to develop critical thinking essentials for decision-making; and to develop awareness of ethical relationships in life. These are all key elements of developing sexual citizenship and assuring young people have the greatest chance of maintaining their health and well-being as sexual subjects.