11/15/2024 - politics-and-society

The Controversy of Axel Kicillof and the Sexual Books

By Uriel Manzo Diaz

The Controversy of Axel Kicillof and the Sexual Books

First Provincial Congress of Comprehensive Sexual Education in La Plata

What happens when the boundaries of education and morality become blurred? That is the question being asked by parents, teachers, and educational authorities in the province of Buenos Aires, where a set of books distributed in schools has generated an uproar.

The texts, included in the “Identidades bonaerenses” program, have been heavily criticized by parents concerned about the explicit content that describes sexual and violent scenes. These situations are part of novels that, according to the provincial government, aim to encourage reflection on current issues, such as identity and gender violence. However, the graphic and explicit tone of some passages has led many to question whether these books are really suitable for high school students.

 They do not come from explicit websites or romantic novels laden with eroticism. Surprisingly, they are lines included in the recommended reading material in high schools throughout the province of Buenos Aires. These words, directed at teenagers, are only a sample of what the Buenos Aires government distributes in its schools in the name of Comprehensive Sexual Education (CSE). But is this education or a form of corruption of minors? Who defines what is appropriate for students?

The controversy surrounding these texts has arisen strongly in various provinces, and the debate has reached levels of significant anger between parents, educators, and authorities. The novel Cometierra by Dolores Reyes, and Las aventuras de la China Iron by Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, are two examples of books that, while they may have some literary value, contain explicit descriptions of sex that have raised inevitable alarm. The question that lingers for many is: why do educational authorities insist on exposing adolescents to this content?

Educational Context or Hypersexualization?

The official defense holds that these books contribute to CSE, an initiative designed to equip young people with tools for self-knowledge, protection against abuse, and the construction of healthy relationships. However, parents and experts point to an important distinction between educating and exposing. Is it really educational to read passages with high sexual content in a classroom? Can a 15-year-old truly understand, without distortions, these descriptions?

When is it Education and When is it Inappropriate Content?

The governor of Buenos Aires, Axel Kicillof, and the general director of Culture and Education, Alberto Sileoni, defended this educational initiative at the Provincial Congress of Comprehensive Sexual Education, insisting that adolescents have access to sexual material through the internet and that, therefore, a school text mediated by a teacher should be acceptable. But, is that the answer we need? Is it enough that young people can access explicit sexual content to justify its inclusion in the classroom?

The reaction of some parents in Mendoza, who reported a teacher for exposing their students to one of these novels, indicates a line that feels crossed. At the Corazón de María School, the teacher in question asked his students to analyze how they felt after reading the passages of high sexual content, which notably discomforted the young people. This situation generated such unease that the teacher was suspended and faced criminal charges.

 

Between Prevention and Exposure

The most common argument to justify this type of sexual education is the prevention of abuse and the promotion of gender equality. It is expected that young people develop the ability to identify inappropriate behavior and that open discussions occur about topics such as consent and respect. However, there is a thin line between teaching and overexposing. By forcing students to read these explicit descriptions, are they really being taught something about respect, or are they being led into what could be considered inappropriate and unnecessary?

The Rights of Parents: A Power Relationship?

In the speech at the Provincial Congress of CSE, Sileoni claimed that the slogan “Stay Out of My Kids” is “false” and that parents who oppose this type of education also tolerate child abuse at home. A simplistic and reductionist argument that seems to dismiss the legitimate concerns of families. Do parents no longer have a voice or a say in their children's education? 

Parents, recognized in the Civil Code and in the Federal Education Law as essential actors in the educational process, have rights and responsibilities that include deciding, based on their judgment and values, how and when to talk with their children about sexual content. However, the official stance seems to suggest that parents do not have the capacity to discern what is best for their own children, which raises another question: are educators and officials the only ones qualified to decide?

Is the Classroom the Right Place to Describe Explicit Sex?

With the argument of combating child pornography consumption and preventing abuse, the idea that these books can be a useful tool in classrooms has been normalized. But many ask: why discuss explicit sex in school? CSE is a valuable resource when used to promote respect, empathy, and the prevention of abusive behaviors, but where is the limit?

The explicit excerpts from novels like Cometierra and Las aventuras de la China Iron introduce scenes that can confuse or discomfort teenagers. By turning these descriptions into didactic content, the opportunity is lost to make students see sexual education as a tool for empowerment and care, and there is a risk of reducing it to a sensationalist approach.

A Responsible Sexual Education

No one doubts the need to talk about sexuality in schools in an appropriate and respectful manner, adapted to each stage of maturity. However, the current approach seems to have overlooked the concept of “appropriateness” to advance a program with a single vision, without considering the context or the receptiveness of young people. Education should teach how to live and respect sexuality, not expose it explicitly without the emotional tools to process it.

Would this be the type of material that any parent would read with their child? Is explicitness the best educational tool? Ultimately, sexual education should serve to help young people acquire knowledge that allows them to make informed decisions about their own bodies and relationships, without feeling invaded or uncomfortable.



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Uriel Manzo Diaz

Uriel Manzo Diaz

Hello! My name is Uriel Manzo Diaz. Currently, I am in the process of deepening my knowledge in international relations and political science, and I plan to start my studies in these fields in 2026. I am passionate about politics, education, culture, books, and international issues.

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