ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a comparative overview of policies about the provision of school-based sexuality education (SE) in six Southern European countries, namely Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Spain. The chapter identifies and discusses commonalities as well as differences pertaining to SE curricula for young people in these diverse settings. These generally reflect concerns with sexual regulation and moral standards and are associated with social and cultural factors that shape sexual behaviour. The intensification of globalization has reached Southern Europe and is having considerable effects on how sexuality is lived out. The chapter argues that due to cultural influences, SE approaches are also being determined by changes in policy. There seems to be a shift that marks a departure from a pathologized model of SE, based solely on the dissemination of knowledge about risks. More recent approaches are moving towards the provision of sexual literacy that is revolving around the promotion of specific skills and behaviours, such as assertiveness in communicating personal needs and preferences. These are aimed at supporting students to reflect more on fulfilment in sexual and intimate relationships. The chapter foregrounds some implications for educational and social policy emanating from this comparative study. These do not focus only on effective protective measures but address the importance of promoting overall sexual health that is not restricted to the absence of sexually acquired diseases or teenage pregnancy. Emphasis is made on policies that include a framework for teaching and learning about the positive aspects of sex.
