Consent & Relationships

The respondents expressed a desire for a stronger focus on consent, feeling that it had been inadequately addressed in their sexual education. They believed that a deeper understanding of what consent means, how to recognize it, and how to effectively communicate and establish consent would have been invaluable. Many emphasized the importance of consent as a fundamental aspect of promoting healthy and respectful relationships. They believed that a more comprehensive approach, including topics such as communication, boundaries, and mutual respect, would have been beneficial in equipping them with the knowledge and skills to navigate intimate relationships in a safe and respectful manner. Sapna* from Winnipeg shared “I believe the absolute first thing all youth should be taught about is Sex-Ed…a lack of education on consent is massively hurting our society”.

Pleasure

The lack of education addressing pleasure and positive aspects of sex was another evident theme in the responses. Many participants expressed their dissatisfaction with the absence of comprehensive information about the pleasurable aspects of sexual experiences. This gap in the curriculum left individuals ill-informed about their own bodies and sexual pleasure, leading to a limited understanding of their own desires and potential sources of satisfaction or even selfpleasure. One respondent even highlighted the lack of knowledge about female orgasms, emphasizing that even as a woman, they had not been provided with any information on this topic. Lindsay* from Moncton shared that she wished she learned “more about sex that is not penetrative between a man and woman. I wish I learned about a female orgasm because I did not understand it (as a woman) until I was 21 years old despite being sexually active since I was 16”. The absence of discussions surrounding pleasure in sexual education perpetuated a negative stigma around the topic and contributed to a culture of silence and shame.

Kash* from Toronto shared they felt education on “sexual orientation, toys, and pleasure would have helped me break through the stigma of self-pleasure and masturbation sooner”. By neglecting this important aspect, individuals were left without the necessary knowledge to explore and understand their own bodies, sexual preferences, and sources of pleasure. Addressing this gap in sexual education by incorporating discussions on pleasure can help foster a healthier, more positive, and well-rounded understanding of sexuality, enabling individuals to cultivate fulfilling and consensual sexual experiences.