Italy is one of nine EU countries without compulsory sex education. Experts say this negligence puts young people at risk.

Since 1975, there have been multiple attempts to establish compulsory sex education in Italian schools. But in 2023, it’s still not part of the national curriculum. When it comes to funding and implementation in schools, sex education remains a regional decision.

Italy is not the only European Union country lagging in this area — young people in Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Lithuania, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia and Spain are also not consistently receiving sex education at school.

Pellai is concerned that the result is young people getting their information about sex online. In addition to false information and half-truths about sexual practices and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), certain types of pornography are dangerous, especially among boys, he said.

More information: dw.com