Key messages
  • Relationships and sexuality education (RSE) is a focus topic in the WA Health Curriculum. 
  • It also helps to meet general capabilities in the WA Curriculum.
  • RSE can also be taught in many other WA Curriculum subject areas.
  • A list of ways to incorporate RSE across different subject areas is included.

Literacy

  • Persuasive writing/debates
    • e.g. 'Female AFL/football players should be paid as much as male AFL/football players) Nike - Dream Further (external link) is a great stimulus for this debate.
    • e.g. Men should get as much parental leave as women.
  • Grammar
    • Look at the history of pronouns - how they were used in Shakespearean times and how they have changed over time. e.g. The story of 'you' (external site)
  • Viewing
    • Explore the ways that media portray gender stereotypes and how gender is marketed to children. 
      • e.g. Compare the colours, text, images, and practicality of clothing for boys vs girls. Look at length of the shorts, tops, and cost.
      • Why is there a boys/girls section of clothing?
      • How do adverts/music/videos/billboards reinforce stereotypes? Why do they do this?
      • What and discuss Run like a girl (external site) and We believe: The best men can be (external site).

The Arts

Drama
  • Use plays that discuss friendships, relationships and intimacy.
Music
  • Listen to songs about love, friendship, break ups, respectful relationships, disrespectful relationships, etc. 
  • Watch music videos and unpack lyrics that reinforce harmful stereotypes and ones that challenge them.
Visual arts
  • Explore artwork that expresses emotions - abstract, cubism, realism, etc.
  • Explore artwork that captures different kinds of relationships.
  • Look at different beauty standards in art across history.

Languages

  • Explore the words used to express respectful relationship qualities in other languages.
  • Explore cultural differences across the world in relation to relationships and affection (e.g. Iran = 3 kisses when you greet people; Italy = 2 kisses; Japan = bows). 

Humanities and Social Sciences

  • Explore historical figures who have challenged gender discrimination. 
    • e.g. suffragettes
    • e.g. women who have competed in 'male only' sports
    • e.g. men fighting for rights to use baby rooms for feeding and changing their children.

Maths

Have a question?

Email the GDHR Team at gdhr@health.wa.gov.au

Contact Us