Study Protocol: Understanding and Addressing Polarisation Regarding Sexuality Education in the Flemish Community, Belgium

Background: While Belgium has traditionally been supportive of school-based sexuality education (SE), this seems to be changing. This shift is demonstrated by vocal protests and arson at six schools in the French-speaking part of Belgium following a law mandating 4 h of SE (September 2023), and by increased reports of parental objections during the recent Weeks of Spring Fever in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium (March 2024). This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the complexities surrounding the SE debate in Flanders, a region where polarisation regarding SE is increasing and slumbering but has not (yet) escalated. Aim: To develop a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic process of polarisation regarding SE. Design and Methodology: This project includes five studies, each using distinct methodologies: (1) Stakeholder mapping and a protest survey to identify and understand critical views regarding (aspects of) SE in Flanders; (2) A probability-based survey and serial focus group discussions to examine attitudes on SE in the general population in Belgium; (3) Mixed-methods research with teachers, consisting of a non-probability opt-in panel survey, focus groups and Q-methodology to analyse different views on and polarisation regarding SE in the school context; (4) A desk study and a Delphi study to gain more insights in and build consensus on the age-appropriateness of SE; and (5) Complex system mapping to analyse polarisation regarding SE. Throughout the project, specific attention is paid to the positionality of the research team. Discussion: This study responds to calls from key researchers and stakeholders in the field for “good empirics” and nuanced, context-specific approaches that underscore the complexity of opposition against and support for (aspects of) SE. Understanding this complexity is essential for effectively addressing polarisation regarding SE.