This year’s Sanremo Festival 2025 offered an interesting opportunity to reflect on fundamental issues related to sexual and emotional education. Through the performances of artists such as Lucio Corsi, Fedez and the co-direction of Bianca Balti, it is possible to address issues that challenge gender stereotypes, promote self-acceptance and emphasise the importance of mental health.
Lucio Corsi and unconventional masculinity
With his song ‘Volevo essere un duro’ (I wanted to be a tough man), Lucio Corsi explores male fragility and the difficulty of conforming to traditional stereotypes of masculinity.
The song reflects on the social pressure that forces men to always appear strong and invulnerable, emphasising the importance of accepting one’s vulnerabilities. This performance provides a starting point for discussing with students or within one’s family how masculinity can be expressed in different ways, far from clichés.
Not only does Corsi sing songs with lyrics such as “Medaglia d’oro di sputo” (Gold medal for spitting) or “Non sono nato con la faccia da duro/ Ho anche paura del buio” (I wasn’t born with a tough guy face/ I’m also afraid of the dark), but he shows his vulnerability by dressing in ordinary clothes (almost like a mime artist) and performing with Topo Gigio. A beautiful message for children and young people.Corsi non solo canta una canzone con un testo come “Medaglia d’oro di sputo” o “Non sono nato con la faccia da duro/ Ho anche paura del buio”, ma si mostra vulnerabile, vestendo in modo comune (quasi come un mimo) ed esibendosi con Topo Gigio. Un bellissimo messaggio per bambini e ragazzi.
Bianca Balti: or how to redefine the standards of beauty and health.
Bianca Balti’s appearance on stage at Sanremo, with her head shaved and deliberately showing the scar left by surgery for ovarian cancer, sent a powerful message against beauty stereotypes. Her choice invites us to reflect on accepting our bodies and appreciating aesthetic diversity. It is an interesting message coming from a model who has worked with her body and her beauty.
This intervention can be used in educational contexts but also in family settings to promote discussions about self-esteem, body image and the importance of accepting bodily diversity. And, of course, to talk about the importance of studies in the prevention of this type of disease.
Fedez and mental health
With his song ‘Battito’, Fedez brought the issue of mental health to the public’s attention, sharing his personal experience with depression and the use of antidepressants. His openness on topics that are often stigmatised provides an opportunity to address the issue of psychological well-being in schools and families, encouraging open and non-judgmental communication.
A separate issue, but one that can be addressed, is the question of the end of his marriage, his infidelity and many other issues that have been circulating in the media in recent days.
Incorporating sex education into everyday life
These examples demonstrate how key issues in sex education can arise in cultural and media contexts. It is essential for educators and families to take advantage of these opportunities to initiate meaningful conversations with children and adolescents. There is no need for “talks” to discuss and educate about sexuality.
Events such as the Sanremo Festival highlight the importance of integrating this topic into everyday life, using real-life examples to educate the younger generation on crucial issues such as gender diversity, self-esteem and mental health.
(This is precisely why In Ludus games include everyday life in their materials.)
What other themes from the Festival would you include?