Sex lessons planned for all (UK) children (The Observer) [View All]

(Oh I can't wait to hear the RW reaction to this, here in the U.S.)

Sex lessons planned for all children

· Five-year-olds to get lessons on emotional life
· Leak reveals teenagers' ignorance and confusion

Denis Campbell, social affairs correspondent
Sunday December 4, 2005
The Observer

Compulsory sex lessons for primary school children as young as five are to be backed by the government's official advisers on sexual behaviour in an unpublished report obtained by The Observer. If accepted, the proposals would be the biggest shake-up in sex education in schools in England and Wales.

The document says the current system for sex lessons, which are mostly optional, is unfair, confused, damaging to pupils' health and development and partly responsible for Britain having the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in western Europe. At present all pupils get basic biological information, but those at some schools are also given details about subjects such as contraception and sexually transmitted infections.

A joint report from the Government's independent advisors on sexual health and teenage pregnancy recommends that detailed knowledge about sex should become a routine part of all pupils' education and points out that adopting such an approach makes young people better able to handle sexual issues. The 42 advisors include senior doctors, experts in sexual behaviour, specialists in bringing up children, nurses, and leading academics in the field.

They want ministers to make Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) a statutory subject in all primary and secondary schools in England and Wales. Certain schools provide PSHE to help prepare their students to understand the adult world of sex, alcohol, drugs and bullying.

<http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,6903,1657308,00.html?gusrc=rss>
(more at link above)