When it comes to sex education, the personal is political.
One thing we know for certain is that sex is personal: perhaps the most intimate thing of all. But sex is also shaped by a complicated web of cultural, social and political forces outside of ourselves.
Fear-mongering, moral panic and outdated attitudes prevail, but if #MeToo has taught us anything, it's how dangerous it is to keep conversations about sex hidden from view. Behind Closed Doors invests in a radical, inclusive and honest sex education, taking us beyond learning about the 'birds and the bees', to identifying inequality that stands in the way of sexual freedom.
From contraceptives to virginity, consent to pornography, transphobia to sexual abuse, the book shows how our desires are influenced by powerful political processes that can be transformed.
This book is part of our Outspoken by Pluto series.
Natalie Fiennes is a journalist and filmmaker. She is currently working in documentary film making and has taught sex education and consent classes in schools, universities, and youth centres around the UK. She writes for the Guardian and the Independent.
'As a passionate sex educator, it’s Natalie Fiennes’ firm belief that everyone deserves to learn about the full spectrum of human sexuality and to discover their desires, shame-free'
- gal-dem'A short, punchy, intersectional, unstuffy overview of all sorts of issues that impact sexuality and sexual activity'
- 'The f Word'‘Shows how can we rise up against powerful and oppressive politics’
- ‘The f Word’Acknowledgements
Introduction: She may be a bag of trouble: A short history of sex education
1. Sex: I am fast
2. Gender identity: Changing rooms
3. Masculinity: Trump’s button
4. Body image: From scrawny to brawny
5. Sexual consent: No means no
6. Contraceptives: ‘If you have sex you will get pregnant and die’
7. Virginity: Purity
8. Sexual violence: ‘Abuse of power comes as no surprise’
9. Sexuality: From Stonewall to Yarl’s Wood
10. Pornography: Sex education today
11. Sex work: The oldest job in the world
12. Relationships: Just swipe right
Conclusion
Resources
eBook ISBN: 9781786805003
160 pages
129mm x 198mm
