Current Affair Forums

Posted: 23 October 2006 at 10:00am | IP Logged

That they were considering offering sex education and contraception advice in Primary School for children under the ege of 11!

Posted: 23 October 2006 at 11:12am | IP Logged

I'm not too sure about this one yet.
My nephew is only 9 and has recently mentioned to his mum (my sil) that he has a few new little "friends" appearing in his private area and was of course asking why they are there and other said questions about it too.
He is chuffed to bits about them and goes around telling everyone, but my sil didnt have a clue as to how much info she should go into with a child of that age?

I personally think this sort of thing should be taught in school by about 11 years old, so when they start high school, but parents do have a responsiblity to tell their child the basics about periods etc as and when they start.

This is a touchy subject tho as i wasnt close to my mum at all and still arent so when i started my period, all she did was hand me a pack of towels and left me to get on with it.
So it could be a good idea to start at 9 years old, even its just somewhere where kids can go for information and advice if they feel the need to.

x-x-x

Posted: 23 October 2006 at 11:19am | IP Logged

i feel their are limitations to what can be taught and understood at the age of 11 or slightly younger.  It's a fine line between acceptable and not so acceptable.  I'd agree for my daughter to be taught next year (she'd be 9) provided I was informed of the content first.  We have an open family policy here, it doesn't always work but all my kids know they can ask me anything and I'll answer as honestly as I can.  I've had all the 'whee do babies come from' questions and I didn't make up any stork stories, but I was careful how much detail I gave.

I feel kids mature far more quickly these days and I feel it's a good idea they are taught certain things young.

Posted: 23 October 2006 at 12:19pm | IP Logged

I can see it from both sides. 

On one hand if you talk to the kids early about it, it may make then more interested about it earlier so they may go out and try it. 

On the other hand kids are having sex earlier than they should.  You often hear the excuse 'I didnt know i could get pregnant the first time' or 'We didnt know about contraception'.

Love Trudi.  xx