Sex Education Around the World

Here at SparkNotes, we're always up for a clinical, research-based conversation about sex ed. (We are definitely NOT up for giggling like a bunch of 12-year-old boys while competing to see who knows the funniest slang terms for various secondary sexual characteristics. No, that has never happened.)

But we realized that for all our talk about sex education, we only ever cover the goings-on here in the good ol' USA. How unworldly of us! How embarrassing! And so today, your editors have compiled a fun list of sex ed factoids. How do the French teach their kids about puberty? What's the Chinese word for "second base"? Yes, it's time for...

SEX ED, GLOBAL EDITION!

* In African countries, sex ed focuses primarily on preventing the spread of the AIDS virus, and involves lessons about abstinence and contraception.

* China kicked off its first-ever comprehensive sex education campaign by hosting a kissing competition, in order to break cultural taboos about discussing sex and relationships.

* In Finland, sex education includes a free gift: an "introductory sexual package" with an information brochure, a condom, and a cartoon. Fun!

* Swedish schools teach not just about biology, but about sexual negotiation and consent.

* Australia uses sex ed to help reduce incidences of violence and sexual assault.

* Canadian sex ed students get lots of information on preventing pregnancy, and can access family planning services through their schools.

* In France, sex education is taught using visual aids like baguettes, berets, and a cartoon character named Pierre le Doigt.

(Okay, we made up that last one.)

Are you a Sparkler from outside the U.S.? Share your sex ed factoids in the comments!

Related post: Sex Education: Now With Cartoons!