Good sex guide for girls of 13

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A controversial booklet that tells under-age teens how to be good at sex sparked a massive row today.

The fpa, formerly the Family Planning Association, has published the booklet aimed at 13- to 16-year-olds called Love, Sex And Relationships - although the legal age of consent is 16.

It gives details on oral sex, how teenagers can tell when they are ready to have sex and how to obtain contraception in confidence.

The document, produced for use in schools, outraged family values groups which cited soaring rates of sexually transmitted infections and teenage pregnancies.

The booklet includes sections on:

Anne Weyman, fpa chief executive said the booklet gave the impartial, clear advice that young teens were asking for. "Young people tell us the sex and relationships education they receive is too biological and they want more information about emotions, sexuality and relationships," she said.

"They are exposed daily to a range of contradictory messages about sex and they need clear guidance to make sense of it all.

"Both parents and schools have a role to play in helping young people cope with the realities of relationships and to develop a positive attitude towards their sexual health."

But Norman Wells, director of campaign group Family Youth Concern, said: "Publications like these are normalising under-age sexual activity. Over recent decades there has been a tremendous amount of emphasis on providing sex education and making contraception more readily available to young people. In that time there has been no change in the under-16 conception rate and spiralling rates of sexually transmitted infections." He said a more radical approach was needed to address the issue of under-age sex.

Ms Weyman added: "With continued high rates of unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, a more comprehensive approach should be made compulsory across all schools as a matter of urgency.

"The booklet was tested with teenagers and the questions within it are the ones they wanted answered.

"They need to understand the facts in the wider context of emotions and relationships and this booklet sets out to fill the gap. It can be purchased by schools and used as part of their sex and relationships programme."

A spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills said: "It is up to teachers to use their professional judgment to decide which resources best support the school's sex and relationship education programme.

"Our guidance makes clear that only suitable materials that are age-appropriate should be used."

 

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