Sexual Dissonances: or the ‘impossibility’ of sexuality education

Abstract

This paper examines the discursive formations around sexuality education with special reference to the contemporary period. It sketches the recent history of sexuality politics in Britain, understood in terms of the dynamic relation between New Right movements and sexual radicalisms. It then identifies four discursive clusters: those associated with Neo‐Conservatism, ‘the family’ and conservative homophobia; neo‐liberal views on sexuality and privacy; the social liberal mainstream which supports sex education; and an emergent and radical sexual theory and practice. One focus of difference in the context of schooling is the way childhood is theorised and youthful cultures ignored or recognised. The essay ends by emphasising the importance of new critical frameworks and draws some implications for practice within and outside of schools.