Parents’ Support and Sexuality Education

  Summary of Hendriks, et al., (2024)

This national Australian survey provides robust evidence that parents strongly support school-based relationships and sexuality education (RSE). With 2,427 participants, the survey revealed 89.9% support for RSE overall, and all 40 curriculum topics—ranging from communication skills to consent, puberty, and even sensitive areas like masturbation and pleasure—received high endorsement. The public narrative that parents oppose RSE is therefore disproven.

Although support varied slightly across demographics (women and non-religious parents showing highest approval), even conservative, Catholic, and more traditional groups recorded strong endorsement. Parents also expressed a desire for early-age instruction, particularly around body safety, respectful behavior, and understanding boundaries.

The findings emphasize the importance of incorporating parents’ voices into RSE policy, as they represent a powerful supportive constituency often overlooked in political debates.

Implications:
• Policymakers should use parental support to challenge resistance.
• Transparent communication between schools and parents is essential.
• Curriculum should reflect broad approval across sensitive topics.
• Regular national surveys can monitor evolving attitudes.

Reference:
Hendriks, J., Marson, K., Walsh, J., Lawton, T., Saltis, H., & Burns, S. (2024). Australian parents overwhelmingly support school-based relationships and sexuality education: National survey findings. Sex Education. 24:2, 208-224, https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2023.2169825

Suggested Citation:
Ross, E. M., & Malar, D. B. J. (2025). Parents’ Support and Sexuality Education. Excellent Educator, 2(22), 7.