Aussie teens say sex education is leaving them unprepared for relationships and they a are getting a little more information about ‘action’ and a little less about ‘conversation’.
A new Edith Cowan University (ECU) study has revealed that Australian teens feel sex education is falling short, leaving them unprepared to navigate complex relationship dynamics.
The research highlights a need for more balanced and practical approaches to relationships and sexuality education (RSE) in schools.
The study, led by ECU researcher and sexologist Giselle Woodley, was conducted with 49 Australian teens aged 11–17. Through interviews and focus groups, it found that while consent education is a critical and welcome addition to the curriculum, it often emphasises fear and risk rather than fostering positive, respectful, and mutually enjoyable relationships.
Fear and risk
‘Teens reported feeling that lessons focus too heavily on legal definitions and risk avoidance rather than equipping them with real-life skills for communication, empathy, and emotional connection,’ said Ms Woodley.
‘They understood the importance of consent; however, they didn’t want these discussions to occur at the expense of information about practical skills and additional knowledge within RSE.
‘Teens want tools to build healthy relationships, not just to avoid harmful ones,’ she said.
Not a destination
The implementation of mandatory consent education in Australian schools was driven by advocacy efforts, including Chanel Contos’ Teach Us Consent campaign, which brought national attention to sexual violence prevention.
However, Ms Woodley said that the findings of this study show that progress should not stop at teaching consent as a binary concept.
‘While consent education is a critical part of RSE, it’s only one piece of the puzzle,’ she said.
‘Teens told us they need more than rules about permission—they need guidance on how to communicate desires, set boundaries, and navigate relationships in ways that feel authentic and respectful.
‘Even Teach Us Consent have begun to go beyond consent and are teaching comprehensive RSE to young users via their newsletter.’
Beyond consent
The study outlines several recommendations to enhance RSE programs:
•Broaden the focus: Move beyond consent as a legal concept to include communication, emotional literacy, and mutual respect.
•Teach positive sexuality: Balance safety and risk discussions with content that promotes healthy and pleasurable sexual relationships.
•Support educators: Provide training and resources to help teachers confidently deliver nuanced and comprehensive RSE.
•Include diverse perspectives: Address the unique experiences of LGBTQIA+ teens and ensure all students feel seen and supported.
A fresh approach
The authors of the study are calling on policymakers, educators, and advocates to revisit the current approach to RSE to ensure it meets the diverse needs of young Australians.
‘These findings clearly show that teens are ready for a more sophisticated approach to sex education,’ said Ms Woodley. ‘By expanding the curriculum to focus on relationships, communication, and pleasure, young people can be empowered to make informed, ethical, and fulfilling choices.’
The paper Do I have to get it in writing or something? What happens when sexuality education is conceptualised through consent? is published in the Special Issue Sexuality: Health, Education and Rights of Youth journal.
The research is part of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project Adolescents’ perceptions of harm from accessing online sexual content.
There is little hope while the majority of young people are learning about sexual behaviours through pornographic videos that grotesquely distort the nature of relationships and the sex act itself while promoting horrible violence and disrespect, particularly toward women. This abomination is seriously distorting the nature of sexual desire at the foundations of its formation in young people on an enormous scale.
If nothing is done, the demand for this kind of material will continue to increase exponentially, corrupting whole generations and there will be no going back.
Somehow we need to replace these representations with portrayals of a tender, loving, caring, sharing of a joyful engagement where young people explore their bodies and teach each other about what they enjoy, not just physically but emotionally.
Perhaps we should we flood the internet with easily accessed videos depicting this kind of interaction and encourage young people to watch it? Seriously. Just imagine the outrage among the morality police.