Sexuality in school physical education from the perspective of teachers

Abstract

Today, there is an increasing need to protect pupils and to ensure a safe environment, which is reflected in the approach to pupils in direct teaching practice. Safety in the area of sexuality is an important part of the appropriate approach of educators to pupils. In the Czech Republic, there are not many studies devoted to the topic of sexuality in the teacher-pupil relationship. In the subject of physical education (PE), other forms of pupil-teacher contact occur. On the basis of theories of interpersonal relationship, interactional touch and neuropsychological theories, touch can be considered as an important part of the teaching profession, which, especially in the field of TV, takes on a specific meaning. The aim of this research was to identify and describe what sexuality and touch mean to physical education teachers in their profession. The main research question was formulated as "How do physical education teachers perceive and interpret sexuality in teaching." This is a qualitative research conducted in the form of a multi-case study. Three physical education teachers working in primary and secondary schools were selected and in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with them. The coaches' statements were analyzed using data coding, clustering and pattern capture methods. The research findings suggest that physical education teachers significantly influence the development of students' sexuality and gender identity because they are in close physical and communicative contact with their students. Sensitive verbal communication without derogatory remarks and taunts plays a key role in fostering mutual trust between teacher and pupil. For the safety of pupils and teachers themselves, it is important to include sex education topics in the undergraduate training of future physical education teachers.