95.3 / 88.5 FM Grand Rapids and 95.3 FM Muskegon
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Educators say “Yes means yes” sex education works in their state – will Michigan follow?

Lawmakers in the state Legislature are considering requiring sex education in schools to include teaching a sexual standard called affirmative consent.

       Educators in states with similar legislation say it works.

There are students and adults who think requiring clear permission to move forward with sexual activity is unrealistic. But educators in California and New York say, more students than not are on board with “yes means yes.”

       It’s an approach to sex that says only “yes” – not silence – counts as consent. California educators are required to teach “yes means yes” sex education.

Christopher Pepper is a teacher with San Francisco Unified School District who specializes in health education.

 

“Students are very receptive to that idea. I think they’re really looking for tools that they can use, language they can use, to talk about what relationships are like today.”

       A bill in each the House and Senate would require affirmative consent education for schools that teach sex ed. Both are currently waiting for committee hearings.