Exploring spaces for ‘Love’ in sexuality education curricula across the European Union

Abstract

Sexuality education in school settings has traditionally and generally emphasised preventive measures against risks associated with ill sexual health and teenage pregnancy. A body of research has claimed that this limited scope of sexuality education needs to be extended to include more focus on the positive aspects of sex, on the emotive component of sexual behaviour and on sexual pleasure and desire. This chapter argues that additionally the concept of love also needs to be taken into consideration when delivering sexuality education to young people, primarily because the feeling and experience of love provide a sense of happiness and wellbeing. The concept of love is understood as being comprised of multiple distinct components which are intertwined. For the purpose of this chapter, love is conceptualised as primarily encompassing care and respect. This chapter highlights these aspect of human relatedness in view of the provision of sexuality education in secondary schools across the European Union by drawing on existing school-based sexuality education programmes that are engaged in curricular content about the topic on love in the context of young people's intimate, sexual and romantic relationships. The chapter recornmends sexuality education curricula, which promote the values of mutual care, respect and love as a basis for understanding adolescent romantic relationships and sexual expression.