Abstract
A web interconnects (a) a society's system of governance with (b) its view of the psychological nature of its people and (c) the preparation it seeks to provide for its members to become members of the society. Accordingly, education to prepare for participation in a democratic society would be different from—and inappropriate for—the training for an autocratic society. As Paulo Freire has said, “Education is never neutral; it is either for freedom or for domination.” Both the content and the process of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) are designed to prepare students for the choices that life in a pluralistic democracy demands. So-called ‘just say no’ or abstinence-only programs are antithetical to, and disrespectful of, the freedom and decision-making that are cornerstones of democracy. Not surprisingly, authoritarian personalities prefer authoritarian (antidemocratic) education, including education about sexuality.