Who’s responsible for sex education? Well, given the poor state of sex education in some of the most “evolved” societies on the planet, it seems that you, adult industry professional, are. 

The State of Sex Ed

In the United States, individual states, districts and school boards determine implementation of federal policies and funds. Not surprisingly, a highly diverse “patchwork” of sex education laws and practices have resulted.

Summed up in the Journal of Adolescent Health, a recent report noted that although 37 states require abstinence information be provided (25 that it be stressed), only 33 and 18 require HIV and contraceptive information, respectively. Regarding content, quality and inclusivity, 13 states mandate instruction be medically accurate, 26 that it be age appropriate, eight that it not be biased by race/ethnicity and/or gender, eight that it be inclusive of sexual orientation, and two that it not promote religion. Further, high school courses require, on average, 6.2 total hours of instruction on human sexuality, with 4 hours or less on HIV, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and pregnancy prevention.

With no efforts to evolve or address unmet needs, young people unsurprisingly turn to the Internet for their sex ed. People further along throughout the life course, never mentioned in research, presumably do too.

The U.K. recently announced an effort to improve their nation-states similarly shitty sex ed. The Department for Education is asking parents and young people for their thoughts regarding sex and relationships education (SRE) guidelines for schools in England.

These guidelines haven’t been updated since 2000. Since then, the state of issues related to interpersonal communication, staying safe online and gender have evolved dramatically. Disturbingly, sex assaults against children by their peers have also increased.

Throughout the Department’s eight week inquiry led by Ian Bauckham, head teacher at a large comprehensive school in Kent, people will be able provide opinions and feedback about topics. Everything from sexting to online porn are apparently on the table.

Though somewhat over-reliant on normative notions of what relationships “should” look like, the call for timely, accurate, updated sex and relationships education information is key – young people need to be given tools to navigate the world around them. But in the meantime, some corners of the adult industry are taking steps to educate appropriate consumer demographics.

Case in Point: Eldorado

Eldorado Trading Company, distributor of adult toys, party supplies and lingerie, recently released the thirteenth lesson in its award-winning e-learning series Elevate U, titled “Counseling for Couples.”

Eldorado’s Elevate U 16-lesson e-learning series covers a variety of sexual health topics that go beyond product focus. The lessons are intended to empower Eldorado’s retailers with accurate sexual health information so they can confidently and correctly answer sexual health related questions. The “Counseling for Couples” lesson is designed for retailers to support their customers by helping them increase sexual connections in their relationships with long-term partners.

So, put simply, Eldorado has taken the bull by the horns, finding ways to make educational connections with receptive, age appropriate demographics IRL.

“Knowing how to talk to couples is an essential part of doing retail level education,” said Kira Manser, Clinical Director at The Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health (CSPH) and one of the personalities of Elevate U. “Lesson 13 will illuminate the most common concerns couples have and upgrade [retailers’] ability to serve customers in long-term relationships.”

Does this program meet the needs of every person, every time, in every way? Absolutely not. But it puts forth effort to make ends meet, something that’s clearly sorely needed in wider society. (Remember, these long-term couples come out of the same shitty sex ed systems described previously.)

Eldorado also provides a variety of resources for customers, one of which is access to the company’s newsletter, The Eldorado Edge. A currently unfolding three-part series about the language of sexual health recently caught my eye.

They wrote, “In an effort to change what we think of as sexy, we are presenting a three-part article discussing Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), a normal and fundamental aspect of a healthy sex life, which helps people to better access pleasure.”

Per Manser, “While these terms [STI and STD] are often interchangeable… STI refers to the infection or carrying a virus, bacteria or parasite in our bodies while STD refers to the disease or symptoms that these organisms cause in bodies.”

“I use STI because I believe infections are less stigmatized and sound less scary than disease, and because many people carry a virus, bacteria, or parasite without any noticeable symptoms – so technically they have an STI, but not an STD,” Manser wrote.

Addressing language as another dimension of sex education is hugely significant. Just the shift from “sexually transmitted disease” (STD), which is still common vernacular, to “sexually transmitted infection” can have a significant impact.

“But I’m not a sex educator!”

I know, I know – you’re not a sex educator, and neither am I. As sex industry professionals, all working within such a vast scope of content, services and occupations, we didn’t necessarily sign up for this whole teaching moment thing.

But as citizens of this particular world in this particular time, we often find ourselves in a position to do something positive and beneficial for human sexuality and wellbeing overall. From educational initiatives like Eldorado’s to the language you use within the inner workings of your organization, there are endless places to engage sex ed.

It’s not our responsibility, neither technically nor per se, but it is within our wheelhouse to make a contribution. And guess what – educated consumers may become more frequent and loyal shoppers as an added bonus.

#justsayin

For more information about Elevate U and to enroll in the program, visit eldorado.net/ElevateU or email ElevateU@eldorado.net.