Learning About Consent Challenges Facing The Sexual Education Curriculum

Ten years ago, Ontario modernized its sexual health curriculum to mandate teaching, among other things, the topic of consent beginning in Grade 2.

The 2015 plan, which was the first significant update since 1998, drew praise from many educators, sexual health experts and parents, but staunch objection from others. The changes were scrapped in 2018 in response to the pushback but a new curriculum has been reintroduced, which kept age-appropriate lessons about consent.

Some commentators continue wonder why it is so important to teach this concept to younger children.

Consent matters greatly. Understanding how consent applies in various contexts is essential for healthy relationships and in recognizing and preventing sexual abuse and sexual assault. And, in a world where social media algorithms are amplifying rape myths and far right influencers are peddling toxic masculinity, teaching consent to children and young adults in schools is an important bulwark again