Rewriting Sex and Mental Health Education
Courtesy: @millieannjaddison on Pinterest
With the rise in influence and voices on the internet comes an uprising in sexual curiousity and desire in our generation; especially in under represented communities. Throughout time, these demographics have struggled with self acceptance while receiving the negative misconception that these concerns are “inappropriate” or “too loud”; yet I believe it to be the complete opposite. It takes acceptance and work to refresh the negative connotations of words like “inappropriate”, or “over-the-top”; and it starts at the root of sex education.
Digital media explores this new bout of education through influencers, artists, and the general consumers, gaining attention from our generation. Now that the times are shifting, it influences people to reject the original criticisms of mental health and sexuality and apply their own.
Courtesy: @eileen on Instagram
Sex therapist and founder of “Killer and a Sweet Thang”(KaaST), Eileen Kelly ,26, is the face of our generation’s “feminist manifesto”, creating a digital resource for sexual and mental health whilst placing an emphasis on learning. She is known for her Instagram spread, showcasing seductive photos with real and honest captions; which reflect who she is, allow her to feel sexy, and emphasize that all bodies are beautiful. On first look, many people may peg this as blatantly inappropriate; but instead her personal platform and company KaaST provide a voice in this loud conversation for the demographic who needs it most.
Courtesy: @franchdressin on Instagram
Since the discussion of sex is rising rapidly, Eileen wanted to create a resource that serves more as a sex ed class, which she wisely explained with this analogy-
“Let's say I'm a young gay guy in Texas, I want to talk to someone who understands what I'm going through if I can't relate to anyone in my home town or my community. That opportunity is being killed. Xtube still exists and Pornhub, but they’re not conversations.
They’re transactions.” (Eileen Kelly, SSense interview with Arabelle Sicardi)
Rather than having commercialized and inaccurate resources, she made Killer and a Sweet Thang almost like a discussion board for all people to collaborate on.
Courtesy: @angalisfield on Instagram
A scroll through the Killer and a Sweet Thang website shows a surplus of articles written by readers and writers from all over, serving as an outlet for different people to share their experiences. Unlike capitalized companies, this platform encourages curiosity and discussion for our youth to safely explore sexuality and understand their mental health. These submissions and resources are breaking the stigma around sexual education, and are pushing safety and expression to the front line.
Posts from contraceptive information to safe sex to sexual orientation- even dealing with trauma; KaaST has it all. By providing the opportunity to submit honest and real experiences loud and proud and creating a conversation, it’s breaking the status quo and letting our generation rewrite outdated views on what sex education really is; not just basic anatomy and conception, but an inclusive lesson for both the youth and adults on safe sex practices from all perspectives.
Strike Out,
Writer: Jenna Weiss
Copy Editors: Theo Skinner and Peyton Boudreaux
Orlando