SEXUAL EDUCATION
There's no end to the debate over who should educate
The Teenstar association spread arch-conservative messages in classes. Now there is also criticism that "Aktion Leben" held a sex education course at a school
Beate Hausbichler, Brigitte Theißl
May 31, 2023, 14:00
Sex education is a delicate and complex field. Talking to students about sex, contraception, or sexual orientation is a challenge. When it comes to intimate and shameful questions about sexuality, outsiders are often a better choice than teachers who see the children every day. A few years ago, however, there was great outrage over the Teenstar association, which conducted sex-education workshops with ultraconservative messages. Training documents showed that, among other things, a "curability" of homosexuality was implied and an "ego bias" was claimed as a possible consequence of masturbation.
The problem was also recognized from the political side. There was a construction site in this area, said the then Minister of Education Heinz Faßmann (ÖVP) in April 2019. Since then, there have been changes of government and announcements to get a grip on this construction site. For example, with an accreditation procedure and a draft law, which was rejected because it would have banned all external associations from schools.
Religious or not?
According to its own information, Teenstar was still able to hold workshops in three German states in the 2021/22 school year. There is now also irritation because of another association. In May, "Aktion Leben" conducted a sex education workshop for a Vienna middle school. The association is known primarily for counseling pregnant women, but also conducts seminars and workshops for children, young people and adults on the subject of sexuality or "the correct use of contraceptive methods," according to the association's website.
It is controversial, however, because of its stance on abortion. Parents have criticized the association for having a religious background, which has no place in sex education or sex education classes. Martina Kronthaler, Secretary General of "Aktion Leben", cannot understand this criticism. "Sex education is always criticized, especially by people who are not familiar with this offer. Some don't want to talk to their children about sexuality at all, others complain that there is too little on offer. Who knows us, appreciates our professional work also in the Sexualpädagogik , so Kronthaler to the STANDARD. The workshops therefore cover contraception, the menstrual cycle, fertility, sexual development, identity - "everything," Kronthaler explains.
No prejudices
On the subject of abortion, she emphatically emphasizes that the association conducts pregnancy counseling sessions with an open mind; that is, of course, the highest quality criterion for counseling, Kronthaler says. "The women are not judged in any way, and the counseling sessions are free of prejudice - the decision always remains with the woman." On its website, the association distances itself from radical groups, such as those who call for punishing women who have abortions in the first three months of pregnancy and thus within the time limit regulation that has been in effect since 1975. At that time, in the 1970s, "Aktion Leben" itself had also mobilized against the planned exemption from punishment of abortion within the first three months.
The association still calls itself a "movement for the protection of human life," pictures numerous happy babies on its website and announces the "Day of Life" on June 1, which was initiated by "Aktion Leben" 45 years ago. It is also announced on the website how the parishes of the Archdiocese of Vienna celebrate the day, "building blocks for the design of a service for the Day of Life" can be downloaded directly from the site of the association. The position of the Catholic Church is clearly against liberal abortion rights.
Kronthaler cannot comprehend the fact that the association is repeatedly said to have religious ties. "Aktion Leben' has been an independent association since 1954," Kronthaler said. 1945 was also the year of its founding, which goes back to an initiative by Jesuit Father Georg Josef Strangfeld, who founded the predecessor organization "Schutzgemeinschaft für das ungeborene Leben, rettet das Leben."
Feminist criticism
The principal of the school in question has not been contacted about concerns about sex education workshops and expresses concern that no one has contacted her with complaints. For her, it is important to bring in outside associations for sex education. From the parents' side it is said that it is difficult to assess whether they deliberately chose the association or whether they were simply unaware of the long history of feminist criticism of the association. According to the school, "Aktion Leben" was recommended by the association that had conducted sexual education workshops at the school in previous years. And: "The association submitted its criteria to the education directorate, so it was classified as a serious association for the directorate." The Directorate of Education, on the other hand, says that the Ministry of Education organizes the quality assurance of external sexual education programs.
After the workshop, there were no complaints, according to the directorate. However, the criticism is taken seriously and attempts will be made to involve parents more in advance and to obtain their feedback. According to its own information, the association "Aktion Leben" is guided by the WHO standards for sexuality education in Europe, children's rights and human rights, and the basic decree on sexuality education in Austria.
Quality assurance
For some parents, this does not dispel concerns. Stronger control of providers of sex education workshops was already a demand in 2018, when the contents of the Teenstar workshops became known. The accreditation procedure originally planned a few years ago did not come, instead an independent office has now been established to take over quality assurance in sexual education work, according to the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research. The independent office has already started operations, the board members have been appointed, and a first constituent meeting is to take place soon. After this meeting, the first applications will be reviewed, expert opinions will be requested, and ultimately the results of the quality assurance will be published on the website, according to the ministry.
The circular from 2019 as well as the basic decree on sexual education and the orientation to WHO standards and human rights were apparently not enough to dispel doubts about a largely ideology-free sexual education work. All those involved agree that there is an urgent need for contemporary sex education. (Beate Hausbichler, Brigitte Theißl, 31.5.2023)
S | ABeate Hausbichler, Brigitte Theißl
May 31, 2023, 14:00
Sex education is a delicate and complex field. Talking to students about sex, contraception, or sexual orientation is a challenge. When it comes to intimate and shameful questions about sexuality, outsiders are often a better choice than teachers who see the children every day. A few years ago, however, there was great outrage over the Teenstar association, which conducted sex-education workshops with ultraconservative messages. Training documents showed that, among other things, a "curability" of homosexuality was implied and an "ego bias" was claimed as a possible consequence of masturbation.
The problem was also recognized from the political side. There was a construction site in this area, said the then Minister of Education Heinz Faßmann (ÖVP) in April 2019. Since then, there have been changes of government and announcements to get a grip on this construction site. For example, with an accreditation procedure and a draft law, which was rejected because it would have banned all external associations from schools.
Religious or not?
According to its own information, Teenstar was still able to hold workshops in three German states in the 2021/22 school year. There is now also irritation because of another association. In May, "Aktion Leben" conducted a sex education workshop for a Vienna middle school. The association is known primarily for counseling pregnant women, but also conducts seminars and workshops for children, young people and adults on the subject of sexuality or "the correct use of contraceptive methods," according to the association's website.
It is controversial, however, because of its stance on abortion. Parents have criticized the association for having a religious background, which has no place in sex education or sex education classes. Martina Kronthaler, Secretary General of "Aktion Leben", cannot understand this criticism. "Sex education is always criticized, especially by people who are not familiar with this offer. Some don't want to talk to their children about sexuality at all, others complain that there is too little on offer. Who knows us, appreciates our professional work also in the Sexualpädagogik , so Kronthaler to the STANDARD. The workshops therefore cover contraception, the menstrual cycle, fertility, sexual development, identity - "everything," Kronthaler explains.
No prejudices
On the subject of abortion, she emphatically emphasizes that the association conducts pregnancy counseling sessions with an open mind; that is, of course, the highest quality criterion for counseling, Kronthaler says. "The women are not judged in any way, and the counseling sessions are free of prejudice - the decision always remains with the woman." On its website, the association distances itself from radical groups, such as those who call for punishing women who have abortions in the first three months of pregnancy and thus within the time limit regulation that has been in effect since 1975. At that time, in the 1970s, "Aktion Leben" itself had also mobilized against the planned exemption from punishment of abortion within the first three months.
The association still calls itself a "movement for the protection of human life," pictures numerous happy babies on its website and announces the "Day of Life" on June 1, which was initiated by "Aktion Leben" 45 years ago. It is also announced on the website how the parishes of the Archdiocese of Vienna celebrate the day, "building blocks for the design of a service for the Day of Life" can be downloaded directly from the site of the association. The position of the Catholic Church is clearly against liberal abortion rights.
Kronthaler cannot comprehend the fact that the association is repeatedly said to have religious ties. "Aktion Leben' has been an independent association since 1954," Kronthaler said. 1945 was also the year of its founding, which goes back to an initiative by Jesuit Father Georg Josef Strangfeld, who founded the predecessor organization "Schutzgemeinschaft für das ungeborene Leben, rettet das Leben."
Feminist criticism
The principal of the school in question has not been contacted about concerns about sex education workshops and expresses concern that no one has contacted her with complaints. For her, it is important to bring in outside associations for sex education. From the parents' side it is said that it is difficult to assess whether they deliberately chose the association or whether they were simply unaware of the long history of feminist criticism of the association. According to the school, "Aktion Leben" was recommended by the association that had conducted sexual education workshops at the school in previous years. And: "The association submitted its criteria to the education directorate, so it was classified as a serious association for the directorate." The Directorate of Education, on the other hand, says that the Ministry of Education organizes the quality assurance of external sexual education programs.
After the workshop, there were no complaints, according to the directorate. However, the criticism is taken seriously and attempts will be made to involve parents more in advance and to obtain their feedback. According to its own information, the association "Aktion Leben" is guided by the WHO standards for sexuality education in Europe, children's rights and human rights, and the basic decree on sexuality education in Austria.
Quality assurance
For some parents, this does not dispel concerns. Stronger control of providers of sex education workshops was already a demand in 2018, when the contents of the Teenstar workshops became known. The accreditation procedure originally planned a few years ago did not come, instead an independent office has now been established to take over quality assurance in sexual education work, according to the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research. The independent office has already started operations, the board members have been appointed, and a first constituent meeting is to take place soon. After this meeting, the first applications will be reviewed, expert opinions will be requested, and ultimately the results of the quality assurance will be published on the website, according to the ministry.
The circular from 2019 as well as the basic decree on sexual education and the orientation to WHO standards and human rights were apparently not enough to dispel doubts about a largely ideology-free sexual education work. All those involved agree that there is an urgent need for contemporary sex education. (Beate Hausbichler, Brigitte Theißl, 31.5.2023)
