Sex Talks: Breaking Down Barriers in Tromsø’s Schools
In the heart of Tromsø, a group of young teenagers is on a mission to change the way sexual health is discussed in their schools. The students, part of the city’s youth council, are organizing a sex conference, aiming to fill a gap they believe exists in current sexual education.
The Need for Change
The youth council members, aged 15 to 16, say the sexual education they receive at school is inadequate. They feel that teachers, who often know them well, may be hesitant to discuss sexual topics openly.
"I think it’s because they know us so well that they think it’s awkward to talk about sexuality." – Frida Kristine Johansen (15)
Olivia Moe-Jordan, the nest leader of the youth council, echoes this sentiment. She believes that the pending sex conference will be a significant step forward in addressing the inadequate sex education they’ve been receiving.
A Conference on Gratitude, Identity, and Consent
The conference, set to happen before the winter holidays, will focus on three key themes: gratitude, identity, and consent.Invitations have been extended to experts in the field, who will discuss and answer the students’ questions.
For many, the conference promises a safe space. Arja Mubanga-Bjørn, from the Tromsø municipality’s health project, stresses the importance of such spaces:
"Many think that the more young people know, the earlier they will start having sex. But that’s not true. It’s actually the other way around – the more young people know, the later they start having sex, and more report positive experiences." – Arja Mubanga-Bjørn
She adds that some parents might find the topic uncomfortable, but emphasizes that open dialogue is crucial.
Preparing for the Event
The youth council has invited professionals to speak and answer questions, as many feel more comfortable learning from unfamiliar faces. The conference has also been approved by the city council.
Also, the new curriculum, effective from 2020, makes sexual health a cross-curricular theme, with topics like sexuality, boundaries, and sexual health up for discussion.
Stats secretary Synnøve Mjeldheim Skaar from the Ministry of Education and Research emphasizes that teachers, who know their students best, should take initiative in shaping the sexual education. She also highlights the resources available from the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training.
Sharing Learned Knowledge
The students aim to share their newfound knowledge with peers who may not attend the conference directly. All classes will have the chance to watch the conference in advance.
Surveys indicate that the typical age for sexual debut in Norway is 16.7 years for girls and 17.9 years for boys. The youth council members wish everyone on their peers’che age knew these facts, among others:
"I wish everyone knew that sex requires active consent. You can change your mind, and saying ‘yes’ at one point doesn’t matter later on." – Nora Aursand Henden (14)
"I think it’s important that everyone is different, so we don’t have to follow the same timeline. We all have different needs, and what works for one may not work for all." – Anna Brøndbo (15)
Stay tuned for updates as the sex conference in Tromsø unfolds.
