SEX EDUCATION

What’s the first time like? Is there good and bad porn? How difficult or easy is it to come out in today’s world? Does the morning-after pill work? A series by pod.gr, in collaboration with Onassis Stegi, made up of twelve episodes on everything kids do not talk to their parents about, and everything school doesn’t tell them, is coming on all podcast hosting platforms from September 22. Two 20-year-olds – Eleanna Papadokostaki and Yorgos Aravossis – speak openly on Sex Education about all the things that worry teens when it comes to sex, drawing on findings and data from the latest research with the help of scientific experts, talking with their friends, and engaging with the public.

Sexuality is a central and essential part of the human experience throughout our lives. Sex education starts in early childhood and continues through our teenage and adult lives, providing information on the emotional, social, intersubjective, and physical aspects of sexuality. How much do children and teenagers know about their bodies? About their gender? About sex? How much of what they know comes from reliable sources of information?

Societal shifts and technological advances have made the pressing need for sex education to be taught in schools clear for a number of years. Yet in Greece, teachers are given very few opportunities to broach issues of sexuality and pupils’ interpersonal relationships via scientific and educational methods, practices and means. This means that when issues concerning sexuality, gender, identity, sexual diversity, interpersonal relationships, and intimacy arise, the teaching community is forced to “improvise” in any way it can. This lack of a systematic sex education program in classrooms leaves room for misinformation, outmoded and often dangerous viewpoints, stress, insecurity and, in many cases, harmful choices. It is this gap that Sex Education seeks to fill: sensitizing and teaching people about sexuality and human relationships, issues of constant concern for people throughout their lives.

UNESCO and WHO studies have found that sex education in schools not only prevents misinformation, but also has a positive effect on young people’s physical and emotional sexual wellbeing.

Through its cultural programs, and its healthcare and social welfare initiatives, the Onassis Foundation is trying to bring about an open society for all, one that does not discriminate on the grounds of gender, race, religion, intellectual beliefs, sexual orientation, geographic origin, socioeconomic background, or ideological principles. Because when it comes to society, everything is a matter of education and awareness. Onassis Education first opened a discussion on Sex Education in 2019, with a one-day conference at Onassis Stegi that revealed the importance of its induction as a stand-alone class in Greece’s primary and secondary school syllabus.

SEX EDUCATION PODCAST | From Tuesday, September 22

The series is made up of twelve episodes released weekly into December 2020. The aim of this podcast is to tell you everything you need to know about your first time, pornography, bullying, coming out, consent, abortion, contraception, the morning-after pill, sexually transmitted diseases, excessive sexual drive or a lack of erotic desire, pleasure, transexual identity, sexting, body image, sexual norms, gender-based violence, and – of course – love.

The episodes are available for free from wherever you get your podcasts: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, and Pod.gr (and on the Onassis Stegi website)

A new episode is available every Monday.

Presented by: Eleanna Papadokostaki and Yorgos Aravossis

Δημοσιογραφική επιμέλεια-Παραγωγή: Λέτα Γκαρέτσου

Ηχητική- Μουσική επιμέλεια: Μάριος Πλασκασοβίτης

Ηχοληψία: Χρύσα Κούρεντα, Γιώργος Βαβανός

A collaboration between Pod.gr and Onassis Stegi.

Scientific Advisors:

• Margarita Gerouki, educator, former Greek primary school educational advisor, Doctor of Philosophy (University of Helsinki), winner of the 2019 Award for Excellence and Innovation in Sexuality Education from the World Association for Sexual Health.
• Dr. Ioanna Giannopoulou, Assistant Professor in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School.
• Anastassis Spiliadis, systemic and family psychotherapist, psychologist, Visiting Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at the Maudsley, King’s College London.

Read more and listen to the first episode here

https://www.onassis.org/initiatives/onassis-podcasts/sex-education-podcast