Affective-Sexual Education for Childhood and Adolescence: Psychoeducational Implications from Early Childhood Education to University

Affective-sexual education is a critical component of human development, encompassing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to emotions, relationships, and sexuality. During childhood and adolescence, individuals undergo significant physical, emotional, and social changes that shape their understanding of identity, intimacy, and interpersonal connections. Despite its importance, affective-sexual education often varies greatly across cultural, institutional, and familial contexts, leading to gaps in knowledge and support. Early and comprehensive approaches to this education are essential to promote emotional well-being, prevent misinformation, and foster respectful relationships. This Research Topic aims to explore the psychoeducational implications of affective-sexual education from early childhood to university, addressing its role in promoting holistic development and equipping young people with the tools to navigate complex social and emotional landscapes.

The goal of this Research Topic is to address the pressing need for comprehensive and evidence-based affective-sexual education that spans from early childhood to university levels. Despite its critical role in fostering emotional intelligence, healthy relationships, and identity formation, affective-sexual education often lacks consistency, inclusivity, and cultural sensitivity. This results in misinformation, stigmatization, and unpreparedness in navigating complex emotional and social dynamics.

Recent advances in developmental psychology, neuroscience, and education highlight the importance of early interventions and tailored programs that are age-appropriate and culturally relevant. For instance, integrating emotional regulation strategies and consent education into curricula has shown promising outcomes in promoting empathy and reducing instances of abuse and harassment. Addressing these issues aligns well with the Educational Psychology section, which focuses on understanding educational processes that affect psychological development across various contexts and cultures.

To achieve this, this Research Topic seeks to explore innovative approaches to affective-sexual education, including digital tools, community-driven initiatives, and cross-disciplinary collaborations. By providing a platform for researchers, educators, and policymakers, the collection aims to bridge gaps between theory and practice, ensuring young individuals receive the support needed to thrive emotionally and socially in an increasingly interconnected world. Through examining psychoeducational interventions, this Research Topic contributes to understanding how educational environments influence socio-emotional development.

This Research Topic invites contributions exploring affective-sexual education across developmental stages, from early childhood to university, with a focus on psychoeducational implications. The scope includes, but is not limited to, the following themes: innovative curricular designs, cultural and gender inclusivity in education, the impact of digital tools and media, emotional intelligence development, strategies for teaching consent and boundary-setting, and the role of families and communities in supporting education.

Contributors are encouraged to address gaps in current educational approaches and propose evidence-based interventions. Submissions may also explore cross-cultural perspectives, policy analysis, or longitudinal studies that evaluate the long-term impacts of affective-sexual education.

We welcome diverse article types, including Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Perspectives, Methods, and Theoretical and Hypothesis-driven papers. The goal is to create an interdisciplinary dialogue that enhances the implementation and effectiveness of affective-sexual education globally, supporting young individuals' holistic development.