SUPPORT FOR TEENS & PARENTS
As of August 2022, only 39 states and the District of Columbia mandate sex education and/or HIV education in schools, and only 17 of those states require that the curricula be medically accurate. That means a majority of kids have been left to their own devices to navigate the complicated and confusing corners of their sexuality — with lots of trial and, sadly, lots of error.
This also means that, in 33 U.S. states, it is legal to provide students with false, misleading, and disproven (mis)information about identity, attraction, anatomy, sex, love, and other sexuality topics. And it happens every day.
At EDSE, we believe that access to accurate, affirming, and expansive sex education is a human right and something a majority of U.S. students (and the adults in charge of their care) have lacked throughout their lives. For adults, confidence in and understanding of human sexuality is the foundation for having these important conversations with young people. Teens especially are eager for this information, even if they might not admit it, and they need to see the adults around them feeling comfortable discussing it — or feeling comfortable acknowledging their discomfort and taking responsibility for it. It’s not easy, but it can be incredibly healing to witness a parent, caregiver, or trusted adult demonstrate transparency, vulnerability, and care by naming their feelings and responding to young people’s questions instead of shutting them down. Sometimes the most helpful and truthful response is, “I don’t know but let me help you find out.”
Having these talks can feel terrifying, but it doesn’t have to be — and you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. We want to help you get there!
Schedule a free 15-min meet-and-greet with Anne Hodder-Shipp to see if they’re the right fit.
Ready to get started? Schedule a 60-min one-on-one sex ed session with Anne Hodder-Shipp.
Are you a parent or caregiver in need of direct support or guidance? Anne has your back!
Looking for books?
Check out the EDSE Sex Education Shop at Bookshop.org, an online book store that financially supports independent bookshops.
Browse book lists curated for kids (12 & younger), teens (12 & older), parents and caregivers, and adults.
“Anne has been facilitating groups with us for [more than] two and a half years. It has been great watching how the kids respond to non shaming sex education. Anne works with the teens and is open, honest, and direct, which many of us in this world struggle to be regarding sex and gender. Thank you for teaching from a non shaming place! We are lucky to have you!”
““Anne is adept at facilitating classroom discussion, leading group activities, and answering anonymous questions with accuracy and sensitivity. With the curriculum, she encourages students to think critically and ask questions, in an effort to encourage new and alternative perspectives. She demonstrates strong oral communication skills in the classroom. She is able to use current, real life examples to help illustrate concepts for students. Anne serves as a resource for students, utilizing various communication techniques to convey key health education messages.””
Have questions or a sex ed request? Submit the form below and an EDSE representative will respond within 72 business hours.
EDSE works with teens and families of all forms, and we are trauma-aware, expansive, intersectional, and affirming.
We can’t wait to meet you!