Scarleteen

Did you get a formal sex talk from parents/adults/schooling? What is something you wish you had learned?

Personally, I wish I would've been taught about sex beyond penis-in-vagina. I grew up in an abstinence only house, where even masturbation was frowned upon. There was a lot of information I missed out on, especially regarding health and safety.

Great question, RadiantRay!

I did get some formal education, but it was basically all about pregnancy and STI prevention. There was nothing about pleasure, either via masturbation or with a partner. I wish I had learned more about how different bodies can experience pleasure, and how to ask for what I want.

I like your framing of sex beyond penis-in-vagina! The PIV framework is very heteronormative - and often it's not the most pleasurable approach for the person with the vagina, compared to other acts. Sex can be so much more than just intercourse!

What piece(s) of education would you share with people? What should everyone know?

My sex talk was quite literally "the man puts his penis inside the woman's vagina. But wait until marriage" and then I asked if you kiss during hahah. Definitely not helpful in terms of anatomy, emotions, health, etc. I wish I would've been taught that sex can occur with different genders and genitalia.
My school essentially taught with scare tactics. It was abstinence-only and they showed pictures of various STD's as the reason to not have sex. Overall pretty disappointing and I learned largely from the internet.