SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS: PROVIDING ACCURATE INFORMATION
It is clear that if sensible and accurate information about human relationships and human sexuality is to be given to adolescents, and if the misinformation provided by peers is to be reduced, both parents and teachers will have to make a more positive contribution.
Unfortunately, many parents seem unable to provide accurate information, and teachers will have to fulfil this role, so that tomorrow’s parents may be educated sufficiently to educate their children.
This statement is supported by the surveys reported in this chapter, which suggest that adolescents would prefer to learn about
sex from their parents, but believe that teachers are more suitable educators.
They want to learn about sexuality at school and, in most circumstances, in coeducational groups led by well-trained, empathetic teachers. They believe that it is less embarrassing all round to discuss sexuality in the classroom with an impartial, informed adult than at home with uncomfortable parents. They want to know about human relationships in sexuality, as much as about the biological and technical aspects of sex.
I accept that very young children are probably best taught about sex initially by their parents, but this needs to be reinforced by trained teachers in primary school. Because of the inability of many parents to discuss the more complex aspects of sex education, the information should be given to children in the early years of secondary school. This is crucial if tomorrow’s parents are to be better informed on sexual matters, and better able to tell their children. The purpose of sex education is not just to provide sufficient factual knowledge, but to become the basis of subsequent sexual development.
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