Canada’s school system needs a more sex-positive and comprehensive approach to sex education, according to a new study by a national charity.
Sex Lives Report 2023 by LetsStopAIDS, in collaboration with Angus Reid Group, found that young Canadians are using fewer condoms, feeling more mental health pressures and getting more sexually adventurous.
LetsStopAIDS is Canada’s largest Youth-HIV charity dedicated to eradicating stigma around HIV, by raising awareness through education, access to testing and treatment and providing tools for challenging preconceived notions about gender and sexuality.
The 2023 report aims to delve into young people’s relationships with their sexuality and to gauge their knowledge on Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) and HIV prevention.
“Conventional methods of addressing sexuality are obsolete” the report said, citing the prominence of social media, novel online behaviours and a powerful tide of misinformation, as contributors to the increasing complexity of educating young people sufficiently on the topic.
Of the 1,090 Canadian youth aged 18-24 surveyed, two out three felt that Sex-Ed did not prepare them for sex, and 37 per cent agreed that sex-education mainly pushed abstinence.
Young Canadians also felt that while sex-education classes provided them with plenty of scientific information, it was seriously lacking in practical knowledge and skills that can be applied in real life.
“Youth wanted more practical guidance and actionable information that would assist them in navigating sexual relationships, communication, decision making, and acquiring the necessary skills to engage in safe and enjoyable sexual experiences,” the report said.
Moreover, 68 per cent of youth said they remembered learning about STI and HIV prevention in Sex-Ed classes but a very small proportion knew about HIV prevention terms, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
The study found that Sex-Ed largely fails to educate beyond the male and female reproductive system because teachers are often too uncomfortable to instruct across the full spectrum of sexuality, biology, gender and STI treatment and prevention.
The report highlights the absence of explicit guidance given to students on taking preventative measures against STIs, which it says leads to increased stigmatization around STIs and sex in general.
The study also established a grave lack of discussion around non-intercourse sex as a significant barrier to the betterment of sex education.
“I wish they had taught a broader understanding of sexual activity, I remember talking about STIs, but they should have taught about consent at a younger age,” a survey respondent from Calgary said.
Participants also recalled a hyper-fixation on educating against pregnancy prevention, stating that Sex-Ed is too heavily focused on heterosexuality and heteronormativity.
“Canadian Youth are seeking more practical guidance rather than conventional teaching methods…they have many unanswered questions, and are turning to the internet for help instead of finding it in the classroom, and the growing wave of disinformation available at their fingertips only adds layers of complexity to this issue,” Shamin Mohamed Jr., founder and president of LetsStopAIDS, said in the report.
LetsStopAIDS’ full study can be found here.
