The transformation of school-based sex education policy in the context of AIDS in Ireland

Abstract

While AIDS was neither the initial nor the sole factor, it had a profound impact on the development of school-based sex education policy and practice in 1980s Ireland. Attempts to introduce a national programme of sex education on foot of increasing rates of crisis pregnancy pre-date the AIDS era, but these efforts had been vociferously opposed by conservative Catholic interests. The fear generated by AIDS prompted a shift in what political theorist, John Kingdon terms, the 'national mood' that⁠ coupled with the singular determination of then Minister for Education, Mary O’Rourke, who faced down intense opposition from conservative groups and the Catholic Bishops, created the conditions needed to introduce the AIDS Education Resource – a forerunner to the Relationships and Sexuality Education programme – in post-primary schools throughout Ireland in October 1990.

Keywords:

• HIV
• AIDS
• sex
• sexuality
• sex education

Acknowledgements

The author would like to express gratitude to all those who contributed to this research, in particular, those cited with their full permission herein.

Notes on contributor

Ann Nolan is a post-doctoral research fellow at the Centre for Global Health, Trinity College Dublin and a technical specialist in HIV/AIDS and sexual health with experience in Ireland, Eastern Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.

Notes

1. The term AIDS is used here in recognition that in the mid-late 1980s this was the term most commonly used in literature and discourse worldwide. Contemporary audiences will be more familiar with the separation of the definitions Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

2. Retrospective diagnosis refers to the identification of illness subsequent to the death of the patient.

3. Author's interview with retired School Guidance Counsellor, 24 February 2011.

4. Author's interview with retired School Guidance Counsellor, 24 February 2011.

5. Authors Interviews with former Minister for Education and Health, Mary O’Rourke, 18 March 2011; former Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Barry Desmond, 14 February 2011; former National AIDS Co-ordinator and deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr James Walsh, 3 February 2011; former School Guidance Counsellor, 24 February 2011; and retired Educational Psychologist, 7 February 2011.

6. Author's interview with retired School Guidance Counsellor, 24 February 2011.

7. Author's interview with retired School Guidance Counsellor, 24 February 2011.

8. Author's interview with retired Educational Psychologist, 7 February 2011.

9. Author's interview with retired Educational Psychologist, 7 February 2011.

10. Author's interview with retired Educational Psychologist, 7 February 2011.

11. Author's interview with former Minister for Health, Barry Desmond, 14 February 2011.

12. Author's interview with former Deputy Chief Medical Officer and National AIDS Co-ordinator, Dr James Walsh, 3 February 2011.

13. Author's interview with former Deputy Chief Medical Officer and National AIDS Co-ordinator, Dr James Walsh, 3 February 2011.

14. Author's interview with former Minister for Health, Mary O’Rourke, T.D. 18 March 2011.

15. Author's interview with Mary O’Rourke, Minister for Education (1987–1991), 18 March 2011.

16. Author's interview with Mary O’Rourke, Minister for Education (1987–1991), 18 March 2011.

17. Author's interview with Mary O’Rourke, Minister for Education (1987–1991), 18 March 2011.

18. Author's interview with Mary O’Rourke, Minister for Education (1987–1991), 18 March 2011.

19. Author's interview with Mary O’Rourke, Minister for Education (1987–1991), 18 March 2011.

20. A review of the programme was commissioned by the Department of Education but neither the department nor key informants to this study were able to produce a copy of this report.

21. Author's interview with Mary O’Rourke, former Minister for Education, 18 March 2011.

22. Author's interview with Mary O’Rourke, former Minister for Education, 18 March 2011.

23. Author's interview with founding member of Gay Health Action, Mick Quinlan, 6 April 2011; Author's interview with Director of the Sexual Health Centre, Cork, Deirdre Seery 13 June 2011.

24. Author's interview with retired School Guidance Counsellor, 24 February 2011.