In schools, a controversial document will soon be published and distributed in schools. This is the new version of the EVRAS guide, the “Relational, Affective and Sexual Life Education guide”, which is used from nursery school. It is a guide “for actors and actresses” of EVRAS, and not directly for children. Nevertheless, its content appeals to several child psychiatrists. They believe that certain passages are “inadequate”, even “dangerous” for young children.
Educating young people from kindergarten to relational, affective and sexual life is the role of an EVRAS labeled operator. Their new guide was written by the non-profit association O’YES and the secular Federation of family planning centres. Four audiences are targeted: 5-8 year olds, 9-11 year olds, 12-14 year olds and 15-18 year olds.
A guide that a child psychiatrist specializing in early childhood went through. “There are parts that are very well done, I want to emphasize that, but there are also parts that do not meet the needs of children at all, which answer questions that children do not ask themselves”believes Sophie Dechêne.
Example: sexual identity. From the age of 5, become aware that their gender identity may or may not correspond to that assigned at birth. From the age of 9, the age when most development occurs for male and female bodies, the notion of transgender appears. This is to inform the child regarding the possibility of taking hormones or resorting to surgical operations.
There is a risk of consequences on long-term mental health and even on adult sex life
“There is obviously a risk of psychic intrusion in the child who is potentially traumatic with a risk of consequences on long-term mental health and even on adult sexual life”adds Sophie Dechêne. “In any case, the child who does not feel in the right body will anyway manifest it at some point, quite spontaneously. We must not make a rarity a generality.”
Sexting from 9 years old?
The guide also plans to make children, from the age of 9, aware of the freedom to choose their partner(s). And still at 9 years old, recognizing that sharing sexts or nude photos can be exciting and a source of pleasure. So feel free to send any in consent.
“This is completely unacceptable. This needs to be reviewed and corrected. A 9 to 11 year old child should not sext, and if he does, it means that something is wrong with him. daily life and it is necessary to consult”, points out Sophie Dechêne.
Several associations have their logo on this guide, in particular the Federation of Parents’ Associations in Official Education. “It’s a very good guide. It’s clear that not everyone shares this vision, but it’s high time that these training courses take current issues into account”, explains Véronique De Thier, Fapeo’s political manager.
On the side of Catholic education, it is much more mixed. “Some elements may raise questions regarding the real match between the content and the needs of children according to age groups. We remain open to debate”believes Christian Carpentier, the spokesperson for Segec.
The parents’ associations of Catholic education evoke a problematic file and say they have been presented with a fait accompli. At the office of the Minister of Education, we are told that the document is not yet finalized.