Italy referendum on school affective education approved

The Italian Court of Cassation has approved a request for an abrogation referendum regarding Law no. 104/2026. This law requires prior informed consent from families for affective and sexual education activities conducted in schools.

Danila De Stefano, CEO and founder of the psychological support service Unobravo, has commented on the debate, arguing that emotional and relational literacy is a fundamental pillar of public health. De Stefano emphasized that education regarding affection and consent must be built upon a solid foundation of emotional education to help young people understand themselves and others.

De Stefano further noted that issues such as gender violence, bullying, and discrimination often stem from emotional illiteracy rooted in childhood. She advocated for a shift in focus from purely therapeutic psychology to a broader context of education and prevention, teaching children to recognize and manage their emotions from an early age.