Disclaimer: I have not yet had the opportunity to read Welcome To Sex, authored by Yumi Stynes and Dr. Melissa Kang. However, it appears that the majority of those calling to cancel the book have also not read it. Personally, I believe that books like this are important and necessary. I can relate to being an author caught in a sex education controversy. My book, The Amazing True Story of How Babies Are Made, had been available at Kmart and Big W for three years when someone objected to an illustration they considered inappropriate. The illustration in question depicted a man and woman engaging in sexual intercourse and was intended for educational purposes. This individual took a photo of the illustration and posted it on Facebook, expressing their outrage. A small debate ensued among about eight people, with half in favor of the book and half against. However, the situation escalated when a Daily Mail employee seized the opportunity for clickbait and ran multiple sensationalized stories (accompanied by the Facebook photo) claiming that this “GRAPHIC” and “CONTROVERSIAL” book had divided parents. Sex sells, but a sex education scandal is even more attention-grabbing. The story was subsequently picked up by publications worldwide, such as the UK’s Daily Star and Leicester Mercury, and even featured on the popular US medical show, The Doctors. All of this publicity occurred despite the book only being available in Australia and New Zealand.
While my book is intended for younger children, I share the same philosophy as Stynes and Kang: an open, honest, factual, and sometimes humorous approach to sex education. Like them, I extensively researched how children absorb and interpret this information, and it is often quite different from what opponents of sex education believe.
Teaching a child about sex does not make them sexual. It simply doesn’t work that way. Children learn at a level that is appropriate for their understanding. A five or ten-year-old does not suddenly think, “that looks fun, I’ll give that a try.” They understand that it is something reserved for adults. With teenagers, the situation is slightly different. Puberty makes issues of sex and sexuality harder to avoid, and young people will seek out information. However, they will still learn at their own level of understanding and experience.
Children and teenagers are naturally curious. If parents or caretakers (or the books they buy) do not provide them with proper education about sex, they will turn to the internet for answers. Unfortunately, pornography is easily accessible, and if children believe that sex is a taboo subject, they may seek it out. As they grow older, they are more likely to explore pornography even before having their first consensual sexual experience. As Stynes has highlighted, this is an incredibly harmful and misleading way to learn about sexual activity and sexual dynamics, particularly for females. I am not against pornography, but like Stynes, I am vehemently against using it as an educational tool.
Opponents of comprehensive sex education often argue that it makes children and young people more vulnerable. However, the opposite is true. Having an honest and comprehensive understanding of sex, including proper terminology and knowledge of puberty, sexual activity, and sexuality, is empowering. In areas where comprehensive sex education is lacking, sexual experimentation does not cease, and rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections are significantly higher. Children who are denied sex education are also more susceptible to predators because they lack the understanding to recognize inappropriate behavior. For instance, on a recent ABC Radio segment, a listener shared a distressing situation in which a child had asked about rape but was told she was too young to know. In reality, she was experiencing it. If she had a basic understanding of sexual intercourse and appropriate behavior, she may not have known the term “rape,” but she would have recognized that what the adult was doing was wrong.
In response to those who cry “groomer,” ABC journalist Shalailah Medhora perfectly articulated the importance of removing stigma around sexuality and teaching consent from a young age in a tweet:
“Just a reminder that removing stigma around sexuality and teaching consent from a young age helps to reduce the chances of grooming. Why? Because it teaches boundaries, gives kids language to express when something is wrong, and eradicates shame.” – Shalailah Medhora
In 2018, when my book faced its own controversy, the terms “groomer” and “gender ideology” were not yet weapons in the culture wars. The fact that these terms now play a central role in the opposition against Stynes and Kang is worrisome. They have been imported from America, carrying a mix of faux concern and Q-Anon conspiracy. These terms have been used to ban books and suppress events like Drag Queen story hour. Unfortunately, these tactics have proven effective.
I consider myself fortunate that my own controversy blew over, and my book was not removed from shelves. For authors and publishers, having your work taken off the market by a major bookseller like Big W is a significant blow. On a positive note, the widespread attention has propelled Welcome To Sex onto the bestseller list, demonstrating that there is still a demand for honest and straightforward sex education. Now, I must visit my local independent bookseller and acquire a copy for myself.
Fiona Katauskas is both a Guardian Australia cartoonist and the author and illustrator of The Amazing True Story of How Babies Are Made (Harper Collins 2015).
For assistance related to childhood abuse and sexual education, individuals in Australia can contact the Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), Bravehearts (1800 272 831), or the Blue Knot Foundation (1300 657 380). In the UK, the NSPCC offers support to children (0800 1111) and adults concerned about a child (0808 800 5000), while the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) supports adult survivors (0808 801 0331). In the US, the Childhelp abuse hotline is available via call or text (800-422-4453). Additional resources can be found at Child Helplines International.
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