Wallonia’s Minister of Health at the time, Philippe Busquin, famously stated: "We are not teaching children how to have sex. We are teaching them how to survive their own hormones. That is Belgian pragmatism."
of what puberty and sex education likely looked like in Belgium around 1991, based on known European trends (e.g., influence of the 1980s AIDS crisis, regional differences between Flanders and Wallonia, the role of Catholic vs. secular institutions).
Respecting digital boundaries (e.g., not sharing private texts or photos). Wallonia’s Minister of Health at the time, Philippe
Puberty education that ignores the social and emotional realities of romantic development is incomplete. By addressing the gap between the fantastical, often toxic, romantic storylines in media and the reality of healthy interpersonal dynamics, we equip teenagers with the emotional intelligence necessary to build respectful, safe, and loving relationships.
Consent education must begin long before sexual activity occurs. In the context of early romantic storylines, consent applies to physical touch, emotional sharing, and digital communication. secular institutions)
The approach was holistic and age-appropriate for its intended audience of children aged 11 and up, yet remarkably candid in its demonstrations. The film addressed wet dreams, erections, the proper use of tampons, differences in penis size, and even the mechanics of sexual intercourse—all demonstrated by an adult couple, with no minors involved in the lovemaking scenes.
While boys were learning about testicles, the 1991 program for girls dismantled the "curse" narrative. The exclusive Belgian approach rejected the passive, secretive menstruation talks of the past. By addressing the gap between the fantastical, often
The reforms of 1991 laid the foundation for Belgium's current system, which continues to be recognized as one of Europe's most comprehensive. Today, Belgium requires sex education throughout primary and secondary schooling, with specific mandated hours in key grades. The country maintains a high-quality comprehensive sexuality education curriculum and achieves excellent outcomes, including one of the lowest teenage pregnancy rates in Europe.
Adolescents often feel too embarrassed to ask romantic questions out loud. Physical or digital dropboxes allow students to submit queries about crushes, dating etiquette, and emotional confusion anonymously. The Role of Parents and Caregivers