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Sexuality Education in Early Childhood

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The Palgrave Handbook of Sexuality Education

Abstract

Based on empirical research, this chapter explores the complex regulatory relationship between childhood and sexuality in many Western cultures. We focus on two main areas: (i) an examination of discourses underpinning the repression and regulation of children’s access to knowledge of sexuality; and (ii) an exploration of children’s sexual subjectivities. Controversy around sexuality education with children has resulted in strict regulatory practices imposed and self-imposed on both teachers and parents. We argue that regulating children’s access to knowledge and knowledge production—associated with sexuality in particular—operates to inscribe children as ‘vulnerable’ subjects. There is a need for building strong ethical and respectful relationships and sexuality literacy early in life, which are foundational to understandings of children’s sexual citizenship, and to their health and well-being.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    See State Government Victoria, Department of Education and Training: Victoria http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/social/physed/pages/about.aspx, accessed 12 April 2015. The Department states that: ‘In Victoria, it is compulsory for government schools to provide sexuality education within the Health and Physical Education domain, including assessment and reporting against the Victorian Essential Learning Standards. The most effective sexuality education programs also take a whole-school learning approach.’ This site also stipulates: ‘Catholic and independent schools are welcome to use the Department’s policies, training and resources. The majority of Catholic and independent schools have chosen to assess and report student achievement against the Victorian Essential Learning Standards.’

  2. 2.

    See Australian Curriculum, Health and Physical Education content structure overview: http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/health-and-physical-education/content-structure, accessed 12 April, 2015.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Sciences and Psychology, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW2751, Australia

    Kerry H. Robinson

  2. Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Cristyn Davies

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  1. Kerry H. Robinson
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  2. Cristyn Davies
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    Louisa Allen

  2. School of Sociology Research School of Social Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

    Mary Lou Rasmussen

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Robinson, K.H., Davies, C. (2017). Sexuality Education in Early Childhood. In: Allen, L., Rasmussen, M.L. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Sexuality Education. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-40033-8_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-40033-8_11

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