Introduction
As a part of the LoveAct project, funded through the CERV program of the European Union and coordinated by CESIE ETS, the present study lead by the UPV/EHU team aims to analyze young people’s opinions on sex education and sexual diversity, identifying the challenges and obstacles in this area, thereby providing an empirical basis to enhance educational practice in Europe.
Contextualisation of Sexuality Education in Europe
Sexuality education in Europe has been a topic of growing importance and debate in recent decades. Different European countries have adopted different approaches and policies regarding sexuality education, influenced by cultural, religious and political factors. While some countries, such as Sweden and the Netherlands, are renowned for their comprehensive and progressive sexuality education programmes, others, such as Poland and certain sectors in Spain, face significant resistance and restrictive policies. The diversity in the implementation of these programmes reflects the variability in the perception and acceptance of issues such as sexual diversity and gender equality. This heterogeneous picture calls for an in-depth and up-to-date analysis of how young Europeans perceive and deal with these issues in their educational training.
Research Objective
The main objective of this research is to analyse young people’s views on sexuality education and sexual diversity in order to identify the difficulties and challenges they face in this area. The intention is to provide a clear and detailed picture of how young people perceive the sexuality education they receive and their ability to address issues of sexual diversity. This analysis will identify areas that require improvement and additional support to ensure inclusive and effective education.
Research Methodology
To carry out this research, ad-hoc questionnaires designed specifically for this study will be used. These questionnaires will be administered to young people participating in the project, both before and after the educational intervention, to assess changes in their perceptions and knowledge. The structure of the questionnaire will include both open and closed questions, allowing both quantitative and qualitative data to be obtained.
The collected data will then be analysed using Iramuteq, a textual data analysis tool that allows for efficient content analysis, classification and visualisation of qualitative data. This software will help to identify patterns, trends and recurring themes in participants’ responses, providing an in-depth and detailed understanding of their opinions and experiences.
Expected Conclusions
It is hoped that the results of this research will provide valid and useful conclusions for professional educational practice. By providing empirical data and based on the direct experience of young people, it seeks to:
- Strengthen practitioners’ confidence: Provide educators with concrete data on young people’s perceptions and needs in relation to sexuality education, enabling them to approach the topic with greater confidence and effectiveness.
- Highlight training needs: Identify the most urgent areas of need and gaps in sexuality education, enabling education and training policy-makers to design more appropriate and comprehensive programmes.
- Encourage inclusive education: Provide evidence to support the importance of including sexual diversity in educational programmes, promoting a more inclusive and respectful environment for all students.
In conclusion, this research aims not only to provide relevant empirical data but also to provide a solid foundation on which education professionals can build and improve their practices, ensuring that sexuality education is inclusive, respectful and appropriate to the needs of young people in Europe.
Download this article from Academia at this link: https://www.academia.edu/122179217/LOVEACT_project_Research_on_Young_Peoples_Views_on_Sexuality_Education_and_Sexual_Diversity_in_Europe?source=swp_share
And stay tuned to discover the results of our research!