Let us say it from the outset, this is more than valuable work on a hypersensitive and highly flammable subject: sexuality education in schools. Signed by Lolita Rivé, this audio series (five episodes of around thirty minutes each) is important in more than one way, and for several reasons. First, because it is precise and widely documented. Because it raises essential questions (consent, violence, sexism, etc.). Because she provides an incredible number of resources while having the honesty and humility to state her doubts and limitations.
But let’s recall a few facts: since the Aubry law of July 4, 2001, sexuality education in schools is an obligation. Three sessions must be provided each year to students, from CP to final year. Followed by several circulars, this law remains largely unapplied, according to the report of the general education inspectorate entitled “Sexuality education in schools” from July 2021.
However, according to the Lanzarote Convention, adopted in 2007 by the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, “education for emotional, relational and sexual life is education for complete citizenship promoting healthy emotional relationships, the imperative of consent , the recognition of sexual orientations and gender minorities and the fight against inequalities. It is in particular a means of preventing and combating sexual violence and exploitation of minors. Suffice to say that the subject is of primary importance.
To tell or not to tell?
Former journalist and documentary filmmaker (France 2, France 5, Arte), Lolita Rivé, 35, now mother of a 2-year-old daughter, became a school teacher in 2019. She then notes her students’ lack of knowledge about their rights, but also about what constitutes sexism or homophobia. She first attempts to resolve, on a case-by-case basis, conflicts that may arise, notes remarks or problematic behaviors.
Then, between March and June 2023, with the agreement of the director of her establishment and all the parents of the students except one family, she decided to experiment with her CE1 class. Equipped with a small recorder, she begins by having them name the different parts of their body (episode 1).
“Born in 1987, my education in sexuality was rather through emptiness,” confides Lolita Rivé. And to ask: “What would a society look like that offered its children an emotional and sexual relationship education worthy of the name: could relationships be less violent, more egalitarian? » Another question: “But what should or should not be said to children of this age? How do you pass on something you’ve never learned? »
Because – and even though porn and its problematic representations are displayed everywhere on screens, from the age of 10 for residents of the Ile-de-France region, even though the movement
The ABCDs of equality
But then, and this is the subject of episode 2, “Who’s Afraid of Sex Ed? » Minister of Women’s Rights (2012-2014), Najat Vallaud-Belkacem returns here to the ABCDs of equality, this system designed to fight against stereotypes and sexism that she tried to put in place in 2013 before give up a year later following controversy and pressure. One of his first and most fervent enemies will be Farida Belghoul, disciple of the far-right polemicist Alain Soral (since convicted for contesting the existence of the Shoah).
However, for psychiatrist Serge Hefez as for Lolita Rivé, the more we talk, the better; and everyone here agrees that “sex education at school is obviously not about speaking Kama-sutra. It’s opening the discussion, clearing up the topics. It means sparing our children from mockery, social sanctions, harassment and attacks.”
In episode 3 (put online on October 27, and episodes 4 and 5 on Fridays to follow), it is a question of consent, and the tools offered here are valuable: the song My body is my body or even Le Loup (Editions de La Martinière, 2021), work by Mai Lan Chapiron who also wrote the music for this documentary.
But here again, and as in all episodes, the question is asked: where are the major public policies to concretely protect children? With this documentary, Lolita Rivé hopes to open discussions, to make other teachers want to get started. “So that, perhaps, a more egalitarian and more just society can come about. »
