Italy Approves Sex Education in Middle Schools, But with a Controversial Twist
Italy’s lower house has passed a bill allowing sex education in middle schools, but only with parental consent, sparking intense debate and criticism from opposition parties. The bill, which affects students aged 11 to 14, has been met with resistance from centre-left politicians who argue that sex and relationship education should be mandatory. The government-backed bill, which was approved by 151 votes in favour and 113 against, will now move to the senate for final approval.
The parental consent proviso, introduced by the right-wing Lega party, has been slammed as “mediaeval” and “dangerous” by opposition parties. Critics argue that the bill undermines efforts to prevent rape, gender-based violence, and femicide, as well as promote consent education among teenagers. According to Sara Ferrari of the centre-left Partito Democratico (PD) party, “Instead of introducing sex education, [the bill] puts obstacles in the way of schools that want to” ensure the “right to full education,” a right that is “also a primary tool for combating violence against women.”
Concerns Over Gender-Based Violence and Femicide
The passing of the bill comes at a time when Italy is grappling with high rates of gender-based violence and femicide. According to data from the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT), in 2020, there were 149 reported cases of femicide in Italy, resulting in the deaths of 143 women. The opposition argues that mandatory sex education is crucial in preventing such violent crimes and promoting healthy relationships among young people. However, the right-wing government views sex education as a tool for “gender propaganda” that threatens to undermine the traditional family unit.
Rossano Sasso of the Lega party defended the bill, stating that “For younger children, the bill aims to prohibit the teaching of theories in schools that are difficult to understand and can cause confusion. For older children, we ask that parents be informed and consent.” However, critics argue that this approach is misguided and will only exacerbate the problem of gender-based violence. Italy is one of the few EU countries without compulsory sex education, which remains banned in primary and pre-schools.
A Step Backwards for Sex Education in Italy?
The debate over sex education in Italy has been ongoing for years, with many advocating for comprehensive and mandatory sex education in schools. The recent ‘rape list’ in a Rome school bathroom, which caused widespread outrage, has highlighted the need for effective sex education and consent training. However, the new bill has been criticized for taking a step backwards, prioritizing parental consent over the needs and rights of young people. For more information on this topic, read the full article Here