The Necessity of Teaching Sexual Education in General Educational Institutions

Sexual education helps young people develop the right attitudes towards personal relationships and health. It includes information on sexual violence, unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, and gender equality. The main goal of its teaching is to assist young people in developing a positive perspective on various issues. Sexual education promotes healthy and harmonious relationships and helps individuals understand the essence of gender equality. Although in some countries sexual education is taught by educators, in others it is prohibited, which is sometimes the reason of increasing sexual violence and unwanted pregnancies. In this context, teaching sexual education plays a significant role in spreading information among young people and helping them make informed decisions. In certain countries, such as Sweden, sexual education is integrated into school curricula, which reflects positively on the reproductive health. One of the progressive countries is The Netherlands, where children are taught human biology and sexual education starting from kindergarten age. In Georgia, this issue is still a topic of discussion, influenced by religious and cultural factors. The situation has partially changed since 2018, with the introduction of the subject "Me and Society" in schools, which addresses sexual education, gender, equality, and other related topics. As a result, students have some knowledge about sexual education. The paper is based on theories from the field of educational sciences that convey the essential idea of why sexual education is important. One of these is the holistic approach to education, which is grounded in the idea that sexual education is necessary both to deepen knowledge about biological anatomy and to address emotional and social issues. According to the theory of holistic education, sexual education encompasses a comprehensive understanding of human sexuality. It is also important to emphasize the theory of health education, as sexual education includes mechanisms for protecting against unwanted pregnancies and various diseases. If young people have knowledge of sexual education, they will also know more about their own reproductive health. For the correct dissemination of information, it is essential to train teachers and select appropriate textbooks. The main goal of the research is to find methods for integrating sexual education into the educational sector, both in Georgia and internationally. Additionally, it aims to reflect on the outcomes of its teaching on the formation of young people's relationships and to highlight the barriers to implementing sexual education. This paper focuses on the potential outcomes of teaching sexual education in general educational institutions. It also discusses recommendations based on examples from different countries on how young people can make safe and beneficial choices regarding sexual and gender issues. The work is based on the methodology of comparative analysis of international and local practices regarding sexual education. The research relies on both qualitative and quantitative methods, which include statistical analysis as well as interviews, textbooks, reports from international organizations, and the practices and statistics of different countries. Its research framework covers the impact of sexual education on young people's reproductive health and personal relationships. The primary target groups are students, parents, and teachers. Keywords: Sexual Education, Sexuality, Unwanted Pregnancy, Reproductive Health