Sexual education in the European countries

Abstract

Sweden was the first country in Europe to introduce compulsory sex education into school curricula as early as 1955. It is nowadays integrated in the education systems of many European countries. Is the contemporary approach to sex education realistic in Serbia, as well? In other words, has the state modernised its education system and adapted it to the present-day requirements and needs in this field? With that respect, the paper considers a number of topics related to sex education: contemporary definition of the concept, respect of the relevant human rights, new needs for this type of information, the implementation principles, barriers and models in the European countries, the role of schools, health care institutions and the media, as well as the good practices in Europe. Besides the research results published in scientific papers, important inputs for consideration of the above topics were also taken from the relevant studies of the World Health Organisation, the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health. This has provided the basis for the status assessment and the formulation of expectations with regard to the implementation of youth sex education in Serbia. The emphasis is on working with youth as the key target group for education in this field, although sex education is significant in all stages of life.