A Critical Study on the Policies of the Iranian Education System in Sexual Education of Adolescents

Abstract

‘Sexual education’ is not only one of the most complex and important aspects of education but also one of the important issues in a society. It plays a significant role in shaping human personality and affects his thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Since the analysis of theoretical discussions and practical policies in sexual education can be the basis for enlightenment of the minds of researchers and educators, the present study, which aims at critical examination of the policies of the Iranian education system in sexual education of adolescents, was conducted with a social approach. Reviewing all upstream documents and regulations of the education system, and considering the strong points, the authors seek to criticize the policies and approaches of Iranian education system in sexual education of adolescents. The result of the study shows that, according to these critical studies, the dominant policy and approach of the Iranian education system to sexual education is ‘the control of sexual desire’, which can be interpreted as a ‘control policy’. One of the characteristics of this policy is to pay more attention to the preventive aspects of sexual education. The manifestation of this policy is on the reality of sexual desire in such a way that instead of considering sexual desire as an opportunity for a virtuous life, it portrays sexual desire as a threat to a happy life.

Keywords

• criticism
• policy
• sexual education
• education system
• adolescents