| Topic | 1991 Belgium | Updated Belgium (2024) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Menstruation | Taught only to girls, in private. | Taught to all genders. Includes reusable pads, menstrual cups, pain management. | | Wet dreams | Mentioned only to boys, as "nocturnal emissions." | Discussed in mixed groups; normalized as involuntary; linked to hormone cycles. | | Masturbation | Ignored or implied to cause blindness (myth). | Taught as a normal, private part of puberty (no shame, no details for young kids). | | Homosexuality | Not mentioned (or pathologized). | Taught as a normal variation of human sexuality; includes coming-out support. | | Pornography | Nonexistent in schools (Playboy was the limit). | Central topic: media literacy, unrealistic expectations, addiction risks. | | Contraception | Condoms and pill (for girls only). | Condoms, pill, IUD, implant, injection, diaphragm, and emergency contraception. | | Role of Parents | Parents could opt out easily. | Parents cannot opt out of core science, but can request exemption for values-based lessons. |
The updated curriculum includes concepts that were entirely absent in 1991:
To understand the updates, one must first look at the 1991 context. During this period, sexual education in Belgium was often delivered as a "one-off" talk or a specific chapter in biology class. | Topic | 1991 Belgium | Updated Belgium
The old model left massive gaps. By the mid-1990s, Belgian public health data showed:
The 1991 approach treated puberty as a medical problem to be managed, not a holistic developmental milestone involving emotions, identity, and relationships. The 1991 approach treated puberty as a medical
In 1991, Belgium was still deeply influenced by Catholic conservatism, despite the gradual secularization of society. Education was (and remains) a community responsibility—Flanders (Dutch-speaking) and Wallonia (French-speaking). However, in 1991, neither region had a mandatory, standardized sexual education curriculum.
In 1991, Belgium was a country divided not just by language (Flemish vs. Walloon communities) but by ideology regarding youth and sexuality. Prior to this year, sex education was largely the responsibility of parents or religious institutions. In Catholic schools, the message was often abstinence and shame; in secular schools, it was limited to basic biology. and relationships. In 1991
| Aspect | 1991 (Original) | Updated (Current) | |--------|----------------|--------------------| | Audience | Boys and girls separated | Mixed-gender groups encouraged, with safe spaces | | Puberty topics | Body changes, hygiene, reproduction | Same + body positivity, normalizing variations (e.g., breast size, foreskin, discharge) | | Sexual orientation | Not discussed or pathologized | Explicitly inclusive of LGBTQ+ identities | | Gender identity | Not mentioned | Basic concepts of transgender, non-binary (age-appropriate) | | Consent | Rarely addressed | Core pillar: affirmative consent, legal age, peer pressure | | Pornography | Not applicable | Media literacy: porn vs. real sex, realistic expectations | | Digital risks | None | Sexting, online grooming, revenge porn, reporting tools | | Emotions | Minimal | Relationships, attachment, boundaries, breakups | | Parents | Right to opt-out (opt-out model) | Opt-out still exists, but schools must provide info sessions for parents |