Sex educator, public health professional and content creator Elizabeth Adewale has spoken about her early exposure to sexual content and how her understanding of sex education developed later in life.
In the interview, Adewale discussed her experiences as a sex educator, including instances where she was mistaken for a sex worker, criticism surrounding her profession and other challenges associated with her work.
Speaking about her upbringing in a Christian home where discussions about sex were largely considered taboo, Adewale recalled her earliest exposure to sexual content.
She said, "I cannot remember my exact first encounter with sex education, but I remember that when I was younger, I would sneak around behind my parents’ backs to watch what we called 'blue films' (pornography).
"I did not understand what I was watching. I just knew that it excited me and gave me a feeling in my body, but I didn’t understand what it meant."
Adewale explained that although she was curious about what she was watching at the time, she did not have enough knowledge to understand the meaning or implications of the material.
She also attributed part of her limited exposure to sexual information to the environment in which she was raised. According to her, coming from a religious family meant that conversations surrounding sex were not openly discussed.
The sex educator revealed that she did not have access to a phone or the Internet until she gained admission into the university. As a result, her opportunity to learn more about sexuality and relationships came much later.
Adewale said her interest in sex education became more pronounced when she reached her 400 level at the university. She explained that although she had always been passionate about reading and academics, she also wanted to experience life outside her studies before completing her education.
She subsequently became more socially active and began exploring areas of life that were previously unfamiliar to her, including dating and relationships.
According to Adewale, that period also made her increasingly curious about sex, relationships and understanding her own body.
Her experiences eventually contributed to her interest in sex education, which has become an important part of her professional work. Through her content and public health activities, she now discusses sexual health and relationship issues that many people may find difficult to talk about openly.
Adewale's experience also reflects the importance of providing young people with appropriate and accurate information about sexuality, rather than leaving them to depend entirely on curiosity or unverified sources.
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