This civic issue blog entry investigates and studies a cross analysis between education systems in Finland and The United States in terms of how they provide a comprehensive sex education. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) the global objectives for sexuality education are “to increase knowledge and understanding, to explain and clarify feelings, values and attitudes, to develop or strengthen skills and, to promote and sustain risk-reducing behavior,” (Kontula, 2010).
In a comparative analysis, it is first important to identify the historical context in which the comparison is situated. In this case, Finland implemented sex and relationship education into school curriculum in 1970. As a result, the amount of teenage pregnancies decreased and the number of sexually educated adolescents increased. In Finland, sexuality education is introduced to students in Kindergarten. Up until middle schooling age, sexuality education for students focuses on biological and emotional issues. Afterwards, the theme shifts from a biological and emotional focus to providing “information on adolescents’ physical, psychic and social development. It should also help students to understand communication, human relationships, responsibility and mutual care in human interaction and well-being,” (Kontula, 2010).
The United States’ close ties with christianity and catholicism has resulted in a culturally more guarded view of sex and sexuality. The church promoted sexual abstinence until marriage and thus, American citizens and communities copied this same outlook. One of the main differences between Finland’s outlook and America’s was the fact that sex in America “generally was seen as a function primarily for procreation,” historically (Firmin, 2014).
After Alfred Kinsey released his reports on Sexual Behavior in the Human Male, and Sexual Behavior in the Human Female, American citizens were forced to reconsider and challenge their beliefs regarding sex and abstinence. His studies found that homosexuality was actually quite common in the male and female community, but it also was one of the first widely publicized openly-sexual research books published. Alongside of Kinsey’s study of female and male homosexuality, his research also suggested that both males and females participated in sexual activities for recreation rather than solely within the bounds of marriage and starting a family (Kinsey, 1948). These suggestions were one of the first times that Americans recognized that sexual desire and sexual activity was a commonality among the youth and the unmarried. As a result, some individuals responded by attempting to buckle down on abstinence teaching, while some responded with a more accepting approach to social sexuality.
Currently, the United States sexuality education varies from state to state. Some states solely teach sexual abstinence while others teach about STI’s, contraceptives, healthy romantic relationships, and sexual assault. However, when looking at Finland’s choices to give a very in depth explanation of sexuality, Americans question if their method of sexuality education is really working. In order to examine this question, a reader must recognize that Western and Eastern thoughts regarding sexual activity somewhat oppose each other.
“In Europe, sexuality education focuses primarily on personal growth, while in the US sex education is more seen as solving problems or preventing them…In Western Europe, sexuality, as it arises and develops in adolescence is not seen as primarily a problem and a threat, but as an important part of life,” (Apter, 2011).
The most important question when assessing successful sexuality education is understanding and defining an end goal. In terms of Finland and the United States there seems to be two opposing ideas.
Is the goal is to educate and promote sexually safe practices with sexuality education or is the goal to promote abstinence and decrease pre-marital birth?
Apter D. Recent development and consequences of sexuality education in Finland. BZgA Forum Sex Education Family Planning 2011;2:3–8.
Kinsey, A., Pomeroy, W., and Martin, C. (1948). Sexual Behavior in the Human Male. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders
Kinsey, A., Pomeroy, W., Martin, C., and Gebhard, P. (1953). Sexual Behavior in the Human Female. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.
Huber, Valerie J., and Michael W. Firmin. “A History of Sex Education in the United States since 1900.” International Journal of Educational Reform, vol. 23, no. 1, Jan. 2014, pp. 25–51, doi:10.1177/105678791402300102.
(2010) The evolution of sex education and students’ sexual knowledge in Finland in the 2000s, Sex Education, 10:4, 373-386, DOI: 10.1080/14681811.2010.515095
Post Scriptum:
Why did I choose to write about this?
Do you ever just get tired of not being able to talk about things for fear of other discomfort? I just feel like there are so many stigmas attached to sex, self-love and the naked body and I hope to make people feel a little bit more comfortable with themselves and exploring their not-so-socially-accepted interests. I hate that there are so many people that are either undereducated about their bodies and related topics, or those who have been taught that loving themselves, their naked body, or participating in sexual actions is something to be ashamed of. I do believe that it is very much a private, personal topic and experience, but I wanted to take the time to remain scholarly and educate people on things that are potentially relevant to them.
Important Message for all Readers:
I just want to remind everybody that it is really important that you both know your body and love your body. I know, much easier said than done but comfortability in your own skin is such an important part on a journey to self-love. Remember there is always more you can learn about yourselves and others and remember body confidence is something everyone struggles with at one point or another. You are not alone. Anyways I love all you beautiful people. Remember to love yourself! ❤️
I loved this!! I think it is just an interesting topic that you chose and it is so well supported with all of your sources. It was super insightful and you provided a lot of background information with your comparison. I am excited to keep reading this throughout the semester!
This is a very interesting topic of discussion because it seems in every aspect and specifically education, the United States is far behind when compared to countries like Finland and Sweden. Also, with conservatism and religion in the United States, the idea of sexual education has taken a while to form, while other countries it has been a staple of their education for a long time.
I loved reading this! I found the point you made about how Americans think about sex only as a way of reproduction really interesting. I never thought about it like that but after reading this it all makes sense. You did a great job providing research for your comparisons. I think the quotes did a great job explaining your point. Also, I loved the two paragraphs you put at the end, they did a great job wrapping up the post. I can’t wait to read more of this throughout the semester!
our Puritan heritage might have something to do with how our system address it
This was a great blog post to read, Kay. Your layout made it flow easily and I really appreciated the post script. Thinking back to my sex education in school, it was mostly all biology. I remember a lot of kids in my grade when we began sex education being excited because we finally got to talk about sex, but ended up dreading it once we realized it would mostly entail labeling the complex male genitalia. I think we chose abstinence after that course just from having to look at those cross sectioned reproductive system charts all day.
I’m just kidding, because I would love to have sex education taught in school with the methods you detailed as being commonplace in Finland. The idea that people can grow up with a healthy sexual identity is one I would like to see in the future in the USA. We certainly oppress our sexuality here, while simultaneously using it (exploiting it?) in advertising. Although your audience is college student’s, and we most likely have a stronger idea of our sexual identity than younger students do, talking about it and bringing up these points is really important.