When Is The Right Time For Sex Education?

[ToraToraTora]

A pal of mine has just told me his son has been given sex education at the age of 9. Now he's using what he's learnt to ask embarrasing questions to all and sundry and is in all sorts of trouble in school and with relatives generally and cannot understand why. I remember sex education at the age of approx 13-14. Surely 9 is far too young to get a proper grasp of this difficult subject so why are primary school childreen being burdened so young?

[ummmm]

Knowing about the birds and the bees doesn't stop them being children.

Take them to the park...jump around on a poko stick...race them to the bottom of the street.

Knowing the names of body parts does NOT take away their childhood.

[Octavius]

Boys stop playing board games when they realise that playing with themself is much more fun.

[Mamyalynne]

// va-jay-jay //

That would have my little 6 year old Princess rolling on the floor laughing, Grandmaaaa it is not called that.

[Mamyalynne]

Octavius , that begins in infancy in both sexes.

[B00]

Read through, and im gonna totally disagree with you all, rofl.

I don't believe children should be taught about sex at all- ever!

Yes by all means, discuss body parts and their functions, but to discuss sexual activities with children? Why in God's name? All this enlightenment and so called sexual freedom and lets discuss EVERYTHING has done bugger all to combat our teen pregnancy rate.

[Octavius]

See, 41 and I'm still learning. Damn that pesky childsnatcher.

[Zacs-Master]

jump around on a poko stick

Freudian slip there Ummmm?

[jno]

yeah, but staying silent about it (as in my day) was no better, B00. People found out anyway, but an awful lot of it was rubbish.

[ummmm]

It's age related, B00, they aren't teaching 9 year olds how to pick up on a Saturday night.

[Mamyalynne]

B00 I don't think it has been established that any 9 year old was actually taught any positions or ways of sexual activities, rather the body parts and therefor the differences between the sexes.

[ummmm]

Lol Zacs....didn't spot that :-D

[Mamyalynne]

Octavius , we all learn something new each day, is a good thing.

[LazyGun]

The whole point about sex and relationship education in schools is that it is planned, proportionate and progressive, so it should be age- suitable.This is a good thing. I would want kids to have some understanding of the biological differences between males and females, as well as things like puberty,preferably in advance of the onset of puberty itself. School is, after all, designed to educate children and provide them with the knowledge of how to cope with adult life. no?

Being embarrassed by questions from a 9 year old just sounds a bit weak, IMO.

If it was education involving the screening of "Debbie Does Dallas", or practical demonstrations using condoms and cucumbers or similar I could perhaps understand the objection - but that's not my understanding of what is actually covered for kids at primary school.

It is also my understanding that kids are given consent forms that the parents have to sign, so they surely should not have been taken totally by surprise...

[ummmm]

My sex education, more or less, consisted of a reluctant teacher dipping a tampon in a glass of water to show how much they can absorb.

My 'real' sex education came from my mother....from the day I started asking questions.

School can teach the mechanics...parents should teach the emotions involved.

[albaqwerty]

I do know that when I started chatting about sex to my sons, they were more embarassed than me.
It's a natural function.

[jno]

naming of parts seems appropriate enough at the age of 9 (but not vajayjay, purleese). Here I am, 112 and still don't know whether there's a correct way to say clitoris, as I have heard both pronunciations from doctors.

[erin-x]

Ours started in about primary 7, so age 10/11. It wasn't in any detail though. Tbh, I can't remember much about it.

[Anngel]

I haven't seen all of the posts on here. So apologies if this has been said. There are girls as young as nine who start their periods. For this to happen with no warning (and appalling parental lack of communication) can be traumatic for the girl. Boys should also be aware that this is happening. However, the important thing is to instill some sort of respect for the differences in our bodies. In reality, I suspect it just becomes another part of the playground teasing which some children have real difficulty dealing with. I bought my children a Dorling Kindersley book specifically aimed at youngsters. I think they were six and seven when I first showed it to them. They have both grown up with normal healthy sex lives and suffered no ill effects. If nothing else awareness of this part of their nature might lead some children to speak to their parents if they are being molested by someone. Sorry this is such a book. I feel strongly about thisl.

[joeluke]

ummmm......'Knowing the names of body parts does NOT take away their childhood'

Surely it's on a 'need to know' basis - and boys of 7 don't NEED to know what and where a clitoris is

[sherrardk]

I agree with Joeluke on this. It has to be age appropriate, seven year olds don't need that level of knowledge (the majority of them won't even be able to spell clitoris). I also think Sex Ed in secondary school should be taught by a dedicated teacher, not by a reluctant form tutor