Bisexual adolescents face unique challenges regarding sexual scripts and relational expectations due to their identity's omission from mainstream sex education curricula. This omission has consequences for both interpersonal relationships and mental health outcomes. To fill this gap, parents, educators, and policymakers must prioritize inclusive sex education that acknowledges bisexuality.
I will explore how bisexual teenagers form sexual scripts and relational expectations when sex ed fails to include or misrepresents non-monosexual identities, and what can be done about it.
Let's define 'sexual script'. A sexual script is an internalized set of beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors regarding sex and sexuality, shaped by social norms, media messages, and personal experiences. These scripts guide decision-making and behavior in intimate situations such as dating, flirting, hooking up, and even marriage proposals. They affect who individuals pursue romantically and sexually and how they conduct themselves during courtship.
Sexual scripts are typically passed down through culture and family values. When these scripts exclude non-heteronormative identities, they may lead to negative outcomes for individuals with those identities.
If a bisexual adolescent learns that hetero/homo relationships are the only 'normal' ones, they may feel ashamed of their attractions or doubt their ability to find suitable partners. This can damage self-esteem, increase risk-taking behavior (such as promiscuity), and limit future relationship options.
To prevent these negative outcomes, sex education must address bisexuality explicitly.
Many schools do not teach about bisexuality at all, while others present it negatively or incorrectly.
Some schools portray bisexuals as confused or uncommitted, perpetuating harmful stereotypes that can discourage them from seeking support. Others imply that bi relationships are somehow less valid than others, which undermines trust and communication within those relationships.
Inclusive sex ed should acknowledge that people come in various forms of gender expression and sexual orientation, including bisexuality. It should explain what bisexuality is, provide examples of healthy bisexual relationships, and dispel common myths and misconceptions. Educators must also recognize that many adolescents have complex sexual feelings and allow for open discussion.
Parents play an essential role in helping teens develop healthy sexual scripts by modeling inclusivity and respect in their own relationships. Parents can encourage their children to ask questions about different types of romantic and sexual relationships, discuss media messages critically, and emphasize consent and safety in any scenario.
Policymakers can advocate for comprehensive sex ed programs that include non-monosexual identities. They can promote policies that mandate LGBTQ+-inclusive curricula, fund research on bisexual youth mental health, and protect the privacy rights of minors who identify as bisexual.
Bisexual adolescents need accurate, positive information about their identity to form healthy sexual scripts and relational expectations. To ensure all teenagers receive this education, educators, parents, and policymakers must prioritize inclusive sex ed that acknowledges bisexuality.
How do bisexual adolescents form sexual scripts and relational expectations when sex education excludes or misrepresents non-monosexual identities?
Bisexual adolescents may have difficulty forming sexual scripts and relational expectations due to the lack of representation and accurate information about their identity in sex education curricula. As a result, they might feel isolated, confused, or ashamed of their sexuality.