A New Approach to Sex Education: Prioritizing Abstinence and Family Values
In an article in Swedish Epoch Times journalist Glenn Mattsing writes about a new initiative. In Sweden there is a growing concern over the direction of sex education in schools. Current curriculum emphasizes strongly on early sexual debut, gender identity, and norm-critical perspectives, and is actually harming young people.
The organization Vi tillsammans (We Together) has now taken action and is developing an alternative course plan for teachers—one that champions abstinence, fidelity, family life over what is seen as an overly sexualized agenda. The organisation, represented by Martin Lantz, stems from a grassroots movement aimed at increasing safety and well-being for children. Lantz claims that today’s sex education sexualizes children through school. His concern is that the curriculum encourages teenagers—and even young children—to engage in sexual activity, leading to increased risk behaviors with serious consequences for both individuals and society.
This opinion is supported by scientific evidence. Lantz says to Epoch Times that “Research shows that sexual activity and other risk behaviours in teenagers increase the risk of depression, mental problems and suicidal thoughts. The risks are particularily marked for girls.” He questions whether it wouldn’t be better to let teenagers explore their sexuality at their own pace, noting that most young people want to delay their sexual debut until after primary school.
The alternative course plan draws inspiration from an American framework called Universal Standards for Optimal Sexual Development. It focuses on risk prevention, personal responsibility and the benefits of postponing sex until individuals are ready for long-term relationships. Backed by 273 references from medical and social science research, the framework starkly contrasts with Sweden’s current, politically driven, approach. The curriculum, renewed two years ago, is mandatory and very influenced by organisations like RSFU (the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education) and emphasizes norm awareness, consent culture, power structures, pornography, HBTQI also for very young children, trying to normalize oral-, vaginal-, analsex and masturbation and is, unlike earlier sex education, not in align with parental values.
“Vi tillsammans” plans to offer its alternative course plan free to Swedish schools and already local politicians have shown an interest.
