2 of the most common s8x ed questions I'm asked as an educator.
Education is the foundation of good s9x.
[This newsletter will always be free to read, but it’s also how I supplement bills and such - which allows me the flexibility to bring you the best possible sex education every week. So, if you like what you read, please consider a paid subscription.]
Hey babe,
Let’s talk sex ed, shall we?
I teamed up with Vivastreet to answer your questions on sex education. From the benefits of sex ed to addressing misconceptions about sexual health, I have it it all. For you. This is part 1 of a 2 part series. You’re welcome!
What are the benefits of sex education for people?
This is a great question – and one that is difficult to answer only because of the sheer number of benefits that exist. Good sex education is paramount to our understanding of ourselves, our feelings of personal autonomy, to creating strong and long-lasting partnerships, and general well-being. If this feels vague and far-reaching, that’s because it kind of is. Sex education has the power to infiltrate nearly every facet of our lives. Its importance can’t be understated.
But let’s attempt to break some of this down into digestible bites. Namely, that good sex ed: Decreases shame while increasing autonomy, improves self-understanding, and allows us to create strong sexual values.
Understanding sex – which includes what it is, what it isn’t, that it’s natural, that there are ways to have it safely, that being queer is normal, that sex is enjoyable and pleasurable – allows people to make informed, educated choices about their sexuality. When we increase information around sex, we decrease shame around sex. Shame inflicts a ton of damage on our sense of self, so we should aim to reduce it as much as possible.
When we don’t have good sex ed, we aren’t equipped to make good sexual health choices. This means that STIs spread and there are more unplanned pregnancies. Studies consistently show that when teens and young people are equipped with comprehensive sex ed, STI and teen pregnancy rates drop. It has even been shown to delay young people’s first sexual experiences. This is contrary to what Christian fundamentalists want us to think, but it is the truth.
What’s more, good sex ed helps us form strong sexual values. Your sexual values are linked to your personal feelings about what is acceptable and desirable behaviour. We can’t even begin to suss out what our values are if we don’t have sex ed. How can you know what is important to you sexually if you don’t know anything about sex? Each person is unique. We are not a one-size-fits-all bunch. We all want and need different things from sex. Creating sexual values can help people to develop a roadmap for making decisions about their sexual health and well-being in ways that work for them.
This week’s mantras:
I deserve good sex ed.
I deserve pleasurable sex.
I will love myself.
I love you. Have a great week!
XOXO Auntie Gigi
Shop my favorite sex toys at SexToys.uk
~Good ReadsSsSssSsSs~
I personally love using Love Maps in my practice. It’s basically a map of how well partners know one another's inner worlds. That inner world encompasses whatever knowledge you have about your partner—their wants, fears, favorites, hopes, dreams, things they despise, their core memories. This can help paint a picture of partners to show one another. It’s a very fun and beautiful exercise that allows for better interpersonal knowledge of one another. Learn more about love mapping. - WELL+GOOD
Have you ever had an STI or a UTI? Have you gotten a UTI and wondered if it was an STI? Or maybe you thought you had a UTI, but really it was an STI? These things happen. Sometimes chlamydia can mimic a UTI because they may have similar symptoms. This can lead to misdiagnosis and improper treatment. Learn more about chlamydia and UTIs. - THEBODY
How often should you masturbate? I decided to delve into this topic for Cosmo. I also spoke to real women about their masturbation habits, in the interest of dispelling stigma. Spoiler: The limit really does not exist. Learn more about masturbation habits. - COSMO
I really feel like scissoring doesn’t get enough credit. I created a complete guide to why it rocks and how to do it. Learn more about getting your scissor on. - COSMO
Squirting happens for some vulva owners during vaginal intercourse, manual stimulation, or stimulation with a toy of the clitourethrovaginal complex. Read more. - METRO UK
That’s it for me this week, pals. I love you. Stay hot.
