From skinny dipping to cartoons like John Dillermand and years of sexual education in film, Denmark has a long history of relating to the body and sexuality in a very natural way. This week, that’s no exception. Uge Sex, a term chosen for its resemblance to “week 6” (uge seks), is a sexual education initiative created by Sex og Samfund, a private clinic for sex and health advocacy. Every February since 2008, it has offered schools the chance to join a teaching campaign that addresses common youth questions and concerns. The themes range from family, feelings, the body and boundaries (class 0-3) to puberty, friendship and rights (0-4), as well as consent, sexual health and gender (7-10).
Schools that add Uge Sex to their curriculum get free online and in-person courses and activities. Last year, 21,600 teachers took part.There’s a new theme each year, and in 2024, it is Screen Body (Skærmkrop). The topic delves into discussions on the consumption of online content, its impact on children’s perceptions of their bodies, and its relation to self-esteem.
This is not the only event for children this week, as Fastelavn is right around the corner. The Danish carnival is taking place next Sunday, February 11, seven weeks before Easter. You can expect to see kids in costumes walking door-to-door (especially in residential areas), and collecting candy or money (similar to the American “trick-or-treat” tradition)– so put some coins aside! Before the 1800s, the holiday also included a game called “cat in a barrel”. Although Fastelavn has been around for millennia, some Danes worry that the globalization of Halloween is starting to erase the tradition. With an increasing wave of merchandise and media for the fall celebration, they are concerned that Danish culture might be “Americanizing” itself at the cost of Fastelavn.