Elementary School Teachers and Sex Education in Mexico: The Case of Veracruz

Abstract

Elementary school teaches children to read and write, develop math skills, live together, explore the world, understand that world at a basic level, and grow as people. The objectives of this article are to examine the beliefs of elementary school teachers regarding sex education, to gain a notion of the limits and scope of sex pedagogy in the approach to content, and to provide accurate information for decision-making and public policy. A descriptive study was conducted using a qualitative methodology. The data were collected between October and December 2019 in two public elementary schools in the City of Veracruz, State of Veracruz, Mexico. A non-probabilistic sampling method with a maximum variation was used in the study. In total, nine teachers of ages ranging from 22 to 64 years participated. The teachers reported that the students must have reached sexual maturity to talk about sexuality. Likewise, a discourse that emphasizes the biological aspects and the belief that abstinence is the best way to prevent unwanted pregnancy predominates. Finally, there were different opinions regarding the need for training teachers to teach sex education.