Sex and relationships education, sexual health, and lesbian, gay and bisexual sexual cultures: views from young people

Abstract

This article draws on three small-scale studies with young people in two cities in the United Kingdom, which sought to gather views on sex and relationships education (SRE) and sexual health, and included those who self-identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB). Participants were involved in detailed self-completion surveys and/or in-depth interviews/focus groups. Each project elicited data about respondents' views on SRE (at school) and how this included and excluded LGB young people. The article also looks at influences on sexual activity, conceptualizations/understandings of sexual health and ‘safe sex’, and expectations in relation to safer sex. This aids understanding about the existence of dominant ‘sexual cultures’ and their influence on young people's attitudes towards sexual health, including views on/experiences of ‘risk behaviours’, and (unequal) access to services. The article concludes with recommendations for good practice, and future research, highlighting the importance of an equalities and human rights foundation for learning about sex and relationships, for both young and old, and people of all sexual identities/experience.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to the participants who took part in this research, and to the project funders, including the Centre for HIV and Sexual Health. The views expressed here are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the funders.

Notes

1. This was subsequently unsuccessful with the relevant clauses of the Children, Schools and Families Bill withdrawn during the ‘wash-up’ period prior to the UK general election in 2010.