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What does Empowerment mean in School-Based Sex and Relationships Education

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 05:22 authored by Grace Spencer, Claire Maxwell, Peter Aggleton
Policy and practice on sex and relationships education (SRE) in England often has the stated objectives of delaying sexual activity, reducing sexually transmitted infections and lowering rates of teenage conception. Underlying these objectives is the desire to support young people in making 'informed choices' and developing the skills that will enable them negotiate positive relationships. The concept of informed choice is often linked to the concept of 'empowerment', which implies a less determined set of outcomes. Not only does current SRE policy in England present a seemingly incompatible amalgamation of two different approaches - a statutorily imposed, adult-led, focus on behavioural outcomes, and an empowerment framework with the unpredictability of outcome that this presupposes - but it also fails to take into account thorny problems surrounding the notion of empowerment. Drawing on Lukes' account of power, this paper provides a critical exploration of the conceptualisation of empowerment and subsequent practical impediments to the development and implementation of 'empowerment' within school-based SRE.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Sex Education:Sexuality, Society and Learning

ISSN

1468-1811

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Issue

3

Volume

8

Page range

345-356

Pages

12.0

Department affiliated with

  • Education Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-06

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