After nearly 25 years of waiting, the French government has finally developed and approved a comprehensive curriculum for sex education classes that will be implemented starting in September. The move comes after three nonprofit organizations sued the government for failing to implement a law mandating sex education for every student. Despite opposition from conservative groups who called the program “ideological brainwashing,” Education Minister Elisabeth Borne emphasized the necessity of this new curriculum in light of the prevalence of sexual abuse and exposure to online pornography among children in France.
The new curriculum will address topics such as sex, gender stereotypes, and consent, and is seen as a response to changing attitudes in France about sex following the #MeToo movement. The highly publicized trial of men found guilty of raping a woman while she was sedated has sparked discussions throughout the country about the importance of understanding consent and combatting sexual violence. Activists and experts believe that teaching children about these issues is crucial in preventing future cases of sexual abuse and promoting healthy relationships.
Although sex education has been offered in French schools since 1973, the courses were not mandatory and lacked a specific curriculum, budget, or specialized training for teachers. A report in 2021 revealed that only 15 to 20 percent of French students were receiving the required three annual sessions of sexual education. This lack of consistent and comprehensive sex education points to a deeper societal conservatism in France, according to feminist philosopher Camille Froidevaux-Metterie. Despite previous attempts by the government to implement sex education programs, they faced fierce opposition from conservative groups and parents who viewed the programs as a threat to traditional family values.
The new sex education curriculum in France will focus on promoting equality between men and women, fighting discrimination, emphasizing the principle of consent, and preventing sexism and sexual violence. While activists see the approval of this curriculum as a victory, they have not withdrawn their lawsuit against the government. They are calling for funding of up to 620 million euros annually to support the implementation of the program. Without sufficient funding and resources, activists fear that the new curriculum may not be as effective as intended, and the battle for comprehensive sex education in schools will continue.
