Several research studies have looked at how Swedish teachers' experiences of talking about controversial issues with their students.
A comprehensive study from 2012, conducted by the Swedish Schools Inspectorate, shows that many teachers feel insecure.
- It can be stated that teachers find it difficult to raise controversial issues.
It can be things like sex education, religion or racism, says Christer Mattsson, researcher with a focus on pedagogy and violent extremism.
Theme days and risk
According to him, it is common for schools to arrange theme days or invite external actors to lecture to students.
- If there are already negative attitudes about this, it is common to put this outside the regular teaching.
This is so as not to be at the center itself when it becomes controversial, says Christer Mattsson, who believes that schools think that organizations have a higher level of competence in certain issues.
- But it can be directly counterproductive.
If you have students with anti-Semitic views, the probability increases that they reinforce those opinions when they are put in a situation that is confrontational to them.
An example could be when a Holocaust survivor visits a school, according to Christer Mattsson.
- If the students understand that the person is there due to opinions that the school does not want them to have, it is unlikely that they will give in, but rather defend themselves by attacking.
Should be predictable
To avoid conflict, controversial subjects should be part of the regular teaching, according to Christer Mattsson.
- It has no intrinsic value to suddenly discuss controversial issues on the side, they are part of the material in many subjects, he says.
- There is a big difference between saying something that is outrageous and saying something so that someone else will be upset.
It is an important function for the school to help young people make that difference.