Sex Education and Student Rights: Including the Missing Actor

Abstract

In the West, sex education has always been a taboo subject that continues to challenge the public schools. Drawing on recent developments in some Canadian provinces, I argue that we cannot begin to address the issue of responsible sex education until we first acknowledge that students themselves have a moral and constitutional right to this kind of education. This does not mean that we disregard the voices of parents and teachers in this debate. Yet, we must take seriously the interests and rights of students if we wish to promote their flourishing as human and sexual beings.