La Matinale: Sex Education & Latest News – Vacarme Podcast
A new program of sex education, known as Evars – standing for Education to Affective, Relational and Sexual Life – is prompting debate in France as the school year begins. The program, intended to address issues of consent, healthy relationships, and sexual health, is facing scrutiny and controversy, with parents and political figures voicing concerns about its content and implementation.
The debate surrounding Evars comes amid a broader discussion about how best to educate young people about sexuality. According to reports, the program is set to be presented before the Conseil supérieur, France’s higher council, for review. Benjamin Muller has offered guidance on how to discuss these topics with children, as reported by TF1 Info.
The controversy is not unique to France. In Luxembourg, Marie-Paule Molitor-Peffer, a pioneering gynecologist, challenged societal norms with her frank discussions about sexuality on RTL Radio Lëtzebuerg in the 1980s. Historian Anne Schaaf highlighted Molitor-Peffer’s willingness to address taboo subjects, emphasizing her belief in providing information and empowering individuals through education. Molitor-Peffer’s program, linked to a 1978 law concerning pregnancy and preventing unwanted pregnancies, allowed listeners to submit questions and participate in discussions.
The introduction of Evars follows a period of increasing awareness of the demand for comprehensive sex education. A podcast on Goodpods.com highlighted the program’s contentious nature, particularly regarding the role of parents in this new educational landscape. The program’s implementation coincides with the ban on mobile phones in colleges, adding to the list of changes impacting French schools this academic year.
The discussion on RTS.ch’s “Vacarme” podcast underscores the idea that sex education cannot be left to chance. The program’s existence signals a formal effort to address a topic often considered sensitive and best handled within the educational system. However, the program’s details and the extent of parental involvement remain points of contention.