Getting to the Good Stuff: Adopting a Pleasure Framework for Sexuality Education

Abstract

Sexuality professionals have consistently identified the need to incorporate the topics of pleasure and desire into sexuality education programs; however, that has yet to be realized in most settings. Sexuality education has traditionally been rooted in preventing disease and pregnancy rather than promoting healthy sexual development. There is a significant theoretical basis for teaching sexuality education in a way that acknowledges and affirms sexual pleasure. This article describes a Pleasure Framework for Sexuality Education as an original, practical approach to enhance sexuality education programs; concrete steps for implementing the framework; and suggestions to address potential challenges.

KEYWORDS:

• sexuality education
• pleasure
• desire
• educational strategies
• pleasure framework

Acknowledgments

The author thanks the participants in the workshop facilitated on November 18, 2010, at the Sex Ed Conference in Somerville, N.J., for participating fully in an open and honest discussion of how to integrate pleasure into sexuality education. She also thanks the Center for Family Life Education for giving her the opportunity to present this important topic at their annual conference.