An Urgent Call for Comprehensive Sexual Education in Greece
In a shocking incident that has reverberated throughout Greece, a 13-year-old girl recently gave birth in a Naxos hospital without even realising she was pregnant. The lack of awareness regarding her own pregnancy points to a glaring gap in Greek society's approach to sex education. In the wake of this sobering event, Maria Pateraki, a secondary school teacher, spoke out about the dire state of sex education in Greek schools.
"Kids are exposed to all kinds of content related to sexuality, and most of the time they have no support to think and process it critically," Pateraki told Mare Claire. She emphasised the urgency of addressing this issue, drawing connections between the incident on Naxos and the lack of comprehensive sex education in schools.
An educator who firmly believes in the transformative power of educational spaces, Maria Pateraki is on a mission to bring change to the Greek educational system. Working as a secondary school teacher, Pateraki volunteers her time to coordinate Parent Mediation and Comprehensive Sexual Education programs at her school, aiming to provide scientifically validated information to young people about issues that directly relate to their lives. She also endeavours to equip children with life skills that empower them to make informed decisions, developing self-awareness and fostering responsible behaviour.
Pateraki believes that comprehensive sex education encompasses a broad range of topics, including sexual and reproductive health, relationships, and gender. It's not limited to sexual acts but encompasses the entire spectrum of human sexuality, covering aspects such as biology, gender identity, social roles, sexual orientation, intimacy, and more.
Despite existing in a small corner of the educational system through Skills Workshops and School Activity Programs, comprehensive sex education is not yet a compulsory course in Greece.
Despite existing in a small corner of the educational system through Skills Workshops and School Activity Programs, comprehensive sex education is not yet a compulsory course in Greece. The current situation reflects both the lack of official commitment and the dearth of trained educators in this vital field.
Pateraki highlights the challenges faced by teachers in addressing sexuality and relationships in the classroom. Many teachers have not received adequate training in this area, making the implementation of effective sex education even more challenging. Furthermore, the grey area surrounding the legality of teaching comprehensive sex education exposes educators to potential legal risks.
Greece, despite being part of the European Union and participating in international educational forums, still falls short in implementing comprehensive sex education. Pateraki believes that the time has come for the state to uphold its international commitments and include comprehensive sex education in its educational system.
Pateraki warns against ignoring the digital age's impact on young people's exposure to explicit content, especially on the dark web, which can have harmful consequences. She believes that teaching comprehensive sex education is not only essential but long overdue. "We need to help children understand, think, and mature. But for this to happen, we need to start with ourselves," she says.
When asked about her experiences teaching sex education, Pateraki expressed that children are receptive and open to discussing these topics. With the digital age being part of their daily lives, they seek guidance and support to navigate the complex world of sexuality and relationships. Pateraki is optimistic that by fostering open discussions, schools can create a safe environment where children feel comfortable addressing these issues.
Despite occasional opposition, Pateraki has not faced significant obstacles in her efforts to provide comprehensive sex education. She hopes that over time, the gap between schools and families can be bridged to work together in ensuring the safety and well-being of Greek children.
That a 13-year-old girl could give birth in Naxos without even realising she was pregnant is evidence of the pressing need for comprehensive sex education in Greek schools. Maria Pateraki's commitment to bringing scientifically validated information to the country's youth shines a light on the importance of this issue and the urgency to address it.
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