Can Better Sex Education Tackle the Rise in Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery?

Abstract

It has been suggested that “comprehensive sex education” is part of the solution for the rise in female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS). This chapter represents the first attempt to outline what such sex education might entail. The strengths and weaknesses of sex education approaches are discussed. The inclusion of more accurate information relating to genital appearance and sexuality diversity and FGCS more specifically might be helpful. However, it is argued that sex education interventions should be underpinned by norm-critical thinking. These interventions, which transcend information giving per se, would interrogate taken-for-granted assumptions about sex and sexuality and draw on psychosocial research to promote a positive body image and self-evaluation. As such they would have a higher chance of fostering personal agency in young women (and men) in sexuality. The chapter discusses how such norm-critical sex education interventions could be developed. (Less)