What are we actually teaching young people about consent?

In this episode, Osher looks back on his powerful conversation with Chanel Contos, where they explored how children and teenagers learn about sex, relationships, boundaries and consent — often from sources far beyond the classroom.

Chanel, whose campaign for better consent education began after thousands of young people shared their experiences of sexual assault, argues that education needs to go much further than simply teaching “no means no”. Young people need to understand empathy, recognise boundaries and learn what healthy, mutually desired relationships actually look like.

The conversation examines the influence of pornography, movies and popular culture, and how romantic storylines can normalise jealousy, coercion, obsession and controlling behaviour. Chanel also discusses the different ways boys and girls are socialised — including the pressure on girls to be accommodating and the importance of helping boys develop empathy beyond their immediate social circles.

They also explore what consent can look and sound like in real life, including the importance of paying attention to body language and creating space for someone to change their mind. As Chanel explains, consent isn't simply about hearing an explicit “no”; it is about actively checking that another person is comfortable and genuinely wants to participate.

Despite the difficult subject matter, Chanel remains hopeful. She believes sexual violence is preventable, but that doing so requires adults to have uncomfortable conversations, challenge their own assumptions and make these lessons part of everyday life.

Because teaching consent isn't a one-off conversation. It's something we teach through the small, ordinary moments in which young people learn what love, respect, boundaries and healthy relationships look like.

SUPPORT
For domestic or sexual abuse support: 1800 737 732 (1800 RESPECT)
For immediate support in a crisis, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14
More resources are available from Beyond Blue

LINKS 
Listen to the full episode with Chanel here
Follow Chanel (@chanelc) on Instagram 
More from Chanel's Teach Us Consent initiative
Sign up to the Better Than Yesterday newsletter
Watch episodes of Better Than Yesterday on YouTube
Watch full stories recorded live at Story Club on YouTube
Get tickets for our next Story Club show
Get Osher's latest book "So What? Now What?" here
Send a pic of what you're looking at to sendosheremail@gmail.com 

 

What are we actually teaching young people about consent?
In this episode, Osher looks back on his powerful conversation with Chanel Contos, where they explored how children and teenagers learn about sex, relationships, boundaries and consent &mdash; often from sources far beyond the classroom.
Chanel, whose campaign for better consent education began after thousands of young people shared their experiences of sexual assault, argues that education needs to go much further than simply teaching &ldquo;no means no&rdquo;. Young people need to understand empathy, recognise boundaries and learn what healthy, mutually desired relationships actually look like.
The conversation examines the influence of pornography, movies and popular culture, and how romantic storylines can normalise jealousy, coercion, obsession and controlling behaviour. Chanel also discusses the different ways boys and girls are socialised &mdash; including the pressure on girls to be accommodating and the importance of helping boys develop empathy beyond their immediate social circles.
They also explore what consent can look and sound like in real life, including the importance of paying attention to body language and creating space for someone to change their mind. As Chanel explains, consent isn't simply about hearing an explicit &ldquo;no&rdquo;; it is about actively checking that another person is comfortable and genuinely wants to participate.
Despite the difficult subject matter, Chanel remains hopeful. She believes sexual violence is preventable, but that doing so requires adults to have uncomfortable conversations, challenge their own assumptions and make these lessons part of everyday life.
Because teaching consent isn't a one-off conversation. It's something we teach through the small, ordinary moments in which young people learn what love, respect, boundaries and healthy relationships look like.
SUPPORT
<ul>
<li>For domestic or sexual abuse support: <a href="https://1800respect.org.au/">1800 737 732 (1800 RESPECT)</a></li>
<li>For immediate support in a crisis, contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline</a> on 13 11 14</li>
<li>More resources are available from <a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/">Beyond Blue</a></li>
</ul>
LINKS&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Listen to the full episode with Chanel <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/better-than-yesterday-with-osher-g-nsberg1/507-what-happens-when-entitlement-outweighs-empathy-a-conversation-about-consent-with-chanel-contos">here</a></li>
<li>Follow Chanel (@chanelc) on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chanelc">Instagram&nbsp;</a></li>
<li>More from Chanel's <a href="https://www.teachusconsent.com/">Teach Us Consent initiative</a></li>
<li>Sign up to the Better Than Yesterday <a href="https://makeitbetterthanyesterday.kit.com/7d9d18dcee">newsletter</a></li>
<li>Watch episodes of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa-1kXDagJXvgJa9MNymv4jnKkfdtCqBd">Better Than Yesterday on YouTube</a></li>
<li>Watch full stories recorded live at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@storyclublive">Story Club</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@storyclublive">&nbsp;on YouTube</a></li>
<li><a href="https://linktr.ee/osher_gunsberg">Get tickets </a>for our next Story Club show</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Get Osher's latest book "So What? Now What?" <a href="https://linktr.ee/osher_gunsberg">here</a></li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Send a pic of what you're looking at to <a href="mailto:sendosheremail@gmail.com">sendosheremail@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

With every new day comes the opportunity to grow. Hosted by Osher Günsberg - a best-selling author, podcaster, TV host, husband, dad, stepdad, electric mobility enthusiast and part-time climate worrier. This podcast is here to help make today better than yesterday. Since 2013, the show has set out to improve life for you and the people you love. Sometimes it’s authentic conversations. Sometimes we’ll unpack the news or hear how Osher deals with life as a sober person with a different brain. But you’ll always hear something you need to hear (and laugh while you do). Listen to feel less alone, build better habits and discover some solution-based approaches for when life gets tricky.

With every new day comes the opportunity to grow. Hosted by Osher G&uuml;nsberg - a best-selling author, podcaster, TV host, husband, dad, stepdad, electric mobility enthusiast and part-time climate worrier. This podcast is here to help make today better than yesterday. Since 2013, the show has set out to improve life for you and the people you love. Sometimes it&rsquo;s authentic conversations. Sometimes we&rsquo;ll unpack the news or hear how Osher deals with life as a sober person with a different brain. But you&rsquo;ll always hear something you need to hear (and laugh while you do). Listen to feel less alone, build better habits and discover some solution-based approaches for when life gets tricky.

Helping you make today better than yesterday since 2013.

Better Than Yesterday with Osher Günsberg

Better Than Yesterday with Osher Gunsberg

What We Get Wrong When Teaching Kids About Consent with Chanel Contos

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/731355ea-9c7e-4dcd-a172-b4ad009457e4/transcript