Orthodox Christians in Serbia have always been known for their strict religious beliefs, which extend to every aspect of life including sexuality.
Recent years have seen an increase in the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases and teenage pregnancies, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach to sexual education among young people. This paper explores how traditional Orthodox Christian teachings on sexuality are integrated into contemporary sexual health knowledge in Serbian schools, and how adolescents negotiate cognitive and emotional conflicts arising from these dual frameworks. The paper begins by outlining the historical background of Orthodox Christian sexual teachings before examining the current state of sexual education in Serbian schools, discussing the challenges posed by integrating both religious and secular perspectives, and exploring the strategies that adolescents employ to reconcile conflicting messages.
The paper offers recommendations for improving sexual education in Serbian schools to better meet the needs of young people.
Historical Background
Traditional Orthodox Christian teachings on sexuality date back to the early days of Christianity, with the Bible containing numerous references to sexual practices that were deemed sinful or immoral. These teachings emphasized the importance of abstinence until marriage, fidelity within marriage, and procreation as the primary purpose of sex. In recent times, however, there has been a growing recognition of the need for a more nuanced understanding of sexuality, particularly given the prevalence of non-marital sexual activity among young people. As such, many Orthodox churches have begun to adopt a more progressive stance on sexuality, recognizing that it is an important aspect of human experience that should be discussed openly and honestly with children and adolescents.
Contemporary Sexual Education in Serbia
Despite this shift towards greater openness, traditional attitudes towards sexuality remain strong in Serbia, which has resulted in the integration of both religious and secular perspectives into sexual education curricula. The official sex education program for secondary school students in Serbia, entitled "Healthy Lifestyle," covers topics ranging from reproduction to STDs but does not specifically address sexual relationships or intimacy. This lack of specificity leaves teachers and parents struggling to find appropriate ways to discuss these issues with their children, leading to a gap between what they are taught in school and what they learn at home. Adolescents may also feel conflicted by the mixed messages they receive, as they are told to avoid premarital sex while also being exposed to media portrayals of sexual relationships that contradict these beliefs.
Negotiating Cognitive and Emotional Conflicts
To reconcile these conflicting messages, adolescents often turn to peers or other sources of information, including social media and pornography, to fill in gaps in their knowledge.
These sources can be unreliable and may reinforce negative stereotypes about sexuality, further compounding cognitive and emotional conflicts. Some adolescents have reported feeling ashamed or guilty about their desires, while others struggle to understand why their parents or church leaders seem to view sex as sinful when it is so ubiquitous in popular culture. Others still grapple with questions of consent, pleasure, and gender roles, unable to find answers within the traditional framework of Orthodox Christian teachings.
Improving Sexual Education in Serbian Schools
To better meet the needs of young people, it is essential that schools integrate comprehensive sexual education into their curricula, covering all aspects of sexuality from a scientific perspective. This includes topics such as contraception, STD prevention, consent, healthy relationships, and intimacy, which should be discussed openly and honestly without judgment or shame. Teachers should also be trained to address any questions or concerns students may have, creating a safe space for dialogue and exploration.
Parents should be engaged in this process, receiving guidance on how to talk to their children about sexuality and supporting them in navigating the complexities of growing up in a modern world. By adopting a more holistic approach to sexual education, Serbia can help its youth develop healthy attitudes towards sex and relationships, promoting physical and emotional well-being for generations to come.