Sex Education in the Primary Level: Teachers and Parents' Perceptions

Sex education is a controversial and current issue, with multiple implications for individual and society. Through this we can both inform and change attitudes and behaviours with interest to public health.

Sex education should start early, right at the primary school, following the development of the child, with content and methodologies adapted to their age level. In Portugal, Law 60/2009 was enacted establishing the compulsory sex education in schools and calling for a minimum workload of 6 hours per year to Primary Education. Nevertheless, implementation of this is still far from meeting the proposed objectives.

Thus, through a transversal study of comparative and descriptive nature, through the questionnaire, sought to know and compare the perceptions of parents and teachers of the district of Viseu, about sex education in primary level as well as specific aspects related with the application of this Law.

We found that there are significant differences between parents and teachers, regarding the difficulty in addressing the issue of sexuality, the importance given to sex education in primary level, the adequacy of the contents of sex education regarding age, as well as the degree of adequacy of the methodology used to approach the topic of sexuality. In any of these levels, the teachers showed more favourable responses. Content analysis of open answers revealed, among others results, that both parents and teachers would like to see addressed in the first place, issues within the context of interpersonal relationships and sexuality, with special focus on affectivity.

This study highlight the need for greater articulation between school and family, and also more training for parents and teachers on how to carry out sex education.