The Labour government recently took the bold and important decision to make the teaching of sex and relationships education compulsory in schools for children between the ages of 5 and 16. For this they should be applauded. If young people receive the right information at the right age, they will then be in a stronger position to form positive relationships and have the knowledge to keep themselves safe. Such education also needs to move beyond focusing only on the biological facts to discussing emotions and feelings which are an integral part of an adolescent’s approach to sexual activity. These are essential steps to reducing the rates of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK.
But at what age is it appropriate to start talking about sex? The Daily Mail claims that the government is ‘forcing through sex education for five year olds’, which they insist could have the adverse effect of ‘contributing to the sexuaization of young people’. Given this kind of reactionary press, is it any wonder that ministers find it difficult to discuss this issue? Such responses, however, should embolden our efforts to do more, not less. We should all stand strong on this matter, highlighting that not only are these statements misguided, they are also counterproductive.
One misleading argument against the introduction of compulsory sex education is that it is ’too much, too young’. However, we cannot escape the fact that, despite preventative efforts, today’s young people are exposed to far more sexualised information and images than ever before, for instance, through the internet. The age of first sexual debut is also lowering in the UK. It is important therefore to be realistic, to acknowledge that young people are having sex at earlier ages, and provide sex education before they become sexually active. Young people have a right to such information and education (enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child), and it is incumbent on us to ensure that from as early as five years old they are supported towards making informed choices. Far from this giving rise to more unsafe sex among young people, clear guidance will help them build more equitable relationships, with young men and women better able to relate to each other in a more open and respectful manner. Such developments are essential also to creating a culture of zero tolerance towards sexual bullying and harassment.
Another argument claims that sex education ’encourages young people to have sex’. There is no conclusive evidence that sex and relationships education encourages young people to be sexually active. Indeed, studies have shown the opposite. Believing that sex education encourages promiscuity reinforces associations of guilt and embarrassment towards sex, thus perpetuating a culture of silence. This generates mixed messages for today’s young people – on the one hand shame and misinformation about sex, and on the other alluring and seductive messages from the media and one’s peer group. No wonder Britain has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Europe. It is now time to give young people clear messages, and equip them with the skills to be emotionally literate and protect and empower themselves.
The Daily Mail asserts that there is ’no evidence for the effectiveness of sex education’. However, this is directly contradicted by evidence from around the world that sex and relationships education not only increases young people’s knowledge, but can effectively delay the initiation of sexual activity, reduce the frequency of sexual activity and unprotected intercourse, decrease the number of sexual partners and also increase the use of condoms and other contraceptives. Moreover, greater openness and acceptance within society of young people’s sexuality can increase their ability to negotiate their sexual and contraceptive decision-making, and help them to develop more pleasurable relationships.
A further argument against compulsory sex education is that it ’seriously undermines the role of parents’. One of the great challenges that we face is that many parents do not discuss issues about sex and relationship education with their children. As a result, young people often remain completely misinformed. The government should provide support to parents to discuss such issues (the UK Family Planning Association runs an excellent programme for parents on this issue). But the state has a responsibility to act to better inform young people and enable them to better empower themselves. As such, the government should not allow parents to opt-out of their children receiving sex education. Above all, sex education is not about replacing traditional family values, but helping young people to increase their awareness, develop skills and confidence and stay safe.
As Labour activists we should be bold in our promotion of sex and relationships education. We should give such education greater policy status, and in doing so highlight the ways in which this issue shows the true colours of the Conservatives (who are silent at best, and counterproductive at worst). We should challenge more vigorously the misleading claims from the Daily Mail and others, and be brave that we are on the right side of the argument. A culture of denial and prudery only reinforces rather than protects against ignorance in Britain, and its corollaries of fear, prejudice and risk. Every generation has its cause, and ours should include being articulate in taking responsibility for the fact that we are sexual beings, providing appropriate guidance and support for all ages, and for all sexual persuasions.