About this Research Topic

Background

All children and young people should receive comprehensive sexuality education, from a variety of sources, that empowers them to develop a positive self-identity and provides them with the tools necessary to form healthy relationships, and to manage their own sexuality and sexual health. The positive impact such education has for the health and well being of individuals, communities and societies has been extensively documented in academic literature. Despite the strong evidence-base, the actual provision of sexuality education can vary markedly across settings and countries, and may often focus on biology; the prevention of violence, diseases, or pregnancy; and the use of fear-based or sex-negative messaging.

Contemporary international guidelines and extensive empirical research strongly encourage strengths-based models that are sex-positive and empower young people to develop healthy relationships, and to learn about pleasure and sexual well-being. Such programs are often ground in human rights and ethical frameworks. In reality, specific examples of such programs and guidance about implementation are not easily accessible. Research and evaluation data may also be limited, or not widely shared. The intention of this Research Topic is to showcase a variety of evidence-based initiatives that prioritize and celebrate sexual well-being through education. The impact of such programs shall also be explored, alongside broader discussions about implementation, sustainability, replication and scaling.

We are keen to spotlight initiatives that address a specific sexuality education topic, alongside more extensive programs. A variety of age groups (preK-16) and educational settings (e.g. home, school, community, online) are welcome. Critically, a key attribute of any showcased initiative is that is seeks to provide education via sex-positive approaches that address sexual well-being, sex positivity, and/or pleasure.

This Research Topic welcomes research that includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- scientifically rigorous evaluations of educational interventions
- empirical examinations of best practice in educational design
- meta-analyses of educational practice, innovation or pedagogies
- barriers and enablers to program implementation, sustainability, replication and/or scale-up
- cross-cultural and/or cross-national studies
- study protocols

Potential topics of interest include but are not limited to:
- Inclusion of young people in educational design
- How pleasure discourse is contextualized within sexuality education curricula
- Human rights
- Implementation challenges
- Ethical issues
- Adolescents views on sex and pleasure education
- The role of digital technology

We especially welcome submissions from young people, people from key populations, and community-based organizations. We request that submissions adhere to the principles of respectful and stigma-free language

Keywords: sexuality education, sexual well-being, instructional design, program evaluation

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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