Comprehensive Sexuality Education: Approaching Pornography from Equality and Social Justice

Abstract

Pornography has occupied the center of social debate in Spain, especially in relation to youth learning about sexuality. This article has the objective to identify the possible consumption of pornography in the researched university community in Southern Spain, as well as their opinions on the consumption of pornography in current digital society, and their educational proposals to address the consumption of pornography from the perspective of equality and social justice. To cover this objective, the data analyzed come from a mixed methodology consisting of 4 discussion groups and a survey with all the members of the university community. The results show a tendency to consume pornography at younger ages, with gendered consequences for younger generations. Men consume more pornography. The script continues to be designed under the “hegemonic masculinity” that underlies gender violence in mainstream pornography. A quarter of participants point to pornography as the main source for learning about sexuality and those in couples use pornography to learn about their own bodies. Based on these results, the article concludes with the participants’ demand to incorporate comprehensive sexuality education from elementary school to university, since it promotes equality, social justice and sexual and intimate citizenship which, in turn, strengthens democracy.