Conducting sex and relationships research with young people in secondary schools: the use of clickers as a novel, interactive and confidential data collection method, Education and Health, 35, 4,

Research has identified embarrassment and confidentiality as key issues for young people when discussing relationships and sex during sex education in schools. A synthesis of qualitative research examined studies from 10 different countries over 25 years and found that despite the wide range of geographical areas and cultures, young people’s views about sex and relationships education were congruent. The findings produced evidence that adolescents report feeling embarrassed and vulnerable during sex and relationship education classes (Pound et al., 2016). Qualitative research with young people in Scottish secondary schools has found that embarrassment is a central emotion involved in discussing sexual health and sex education (Van Teijlingen et al., 2007).