Learning facts of life with a modern slant

8:39am Tuesday 22nd July 2008

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WHAT kind of parent is Homer Simpson? Or Peggy Mitchell? In fact, what makes a good parent? Pupils at Elgar Technology College were able to come up with a raft of answers, all of which were sensible, when these questions were posed during a personal, health and social education (PHSE) lesson.

It seems sex education has moved on somewhat from when I was at school. It’s no longer just teaching children about the reproductive organs, and the physical aspects of a sexual relationship – but more focused on the emotional and practical issues that can arise.

Teaching children about sex and relationships has always been a contentious matter. Some argue that giving young people information about sex simply encourages them to experiment. But research shows that the more sex education children have, the later they tend to lose their virginity. Plus, those receiving sex education are more likely to act responsibly, using contraception when they do start having sex.

Becky Dwight, teenage pregnancy and parenting manager for Worcestershire, said: “Young people who have good sex and relationship education (SRE) at home and at schools start sex later and are less likely to have an unplanned pregnancy or to get a sexually-transmitted infection.

“Good SRE is crucial in keeping young people safe and healthy as well as helping to bring down teenage pregnancy rates. It enables young people to mature, to build up their confidence and self-esteem and to understand the reasons for delaying sexual activity until they are ready.

“Good SRE is a key part of the teenage pregnancy strategy in Worcestershire, however, encouraging more parents and carers to talk to their young people about relationships and sexual health is of equal importance. Parents and carers should see themselves as the key person for their son/daughter’s learning about sex and relationships and work together with their young person’s school.”

At Elgar, pupils start PHSE lessons straight away, in year seven. Over the years, they learn about everything from contraception, conception, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to having a healthy relationship, abortions and becoming a parent.

While the school in no way seeks to promote under-age sex, it is conscious of the need to educate young people and make them aware of all the facts.

“Teaching young people about sex and relationships is important,” said Clare Baylis, PHSE teacher.

“But what we do is get them to think about all the issues involved. In year seven we talk about puberty, in year eight we move on to contraception and conception, then we start looking at STIs. But throughout, we talk about relationships, when’s the right time to start a relationship and what kind of things should be in place, such as trust.”

The PHSE lesson I sat in on at Elgar was focused on parenting. Pupils were shown a hard-hitting DVD, part of a series, about a teenage couple struggling to cope with the arrival of a new baby.

After the screening pupils were asked to consider how both teenagers’ lives had changed as a result of having a baby. Answers included “having to put someone else first”, “not being able to go out when you want”, and “money problems”.

The DVD was a realistic and effective way of getting the year nine pupils to consider the effects of bringing a child into the world.

It allowed the teenagers to think about the realities of teenage pregnancy. “The shock of becoming a parent can hit you at any age,” Mrs Baylis told pupils. “It’s a big shock and a big change to your life.”

Pupils also explored what makes a good parent, looking at some famous television characters and comparing their attributes.

I was pleasantly surprised by the maturity of the group, who carefully considered the issues of parenthood.

Speaking after the lesson, pupils said they found the sessions useful and informative.

“We have learnt a lot in our PHSE lessons, things we would probably never have known otherwise,” said 13-year-old Tom Evans. “I think it is important and very useful.”

Amy Deller, aged 14, added: “It has been very useful and we cover a lot of areas. It’s good that we get the chance to talk and discuss these kind of matters.”

But pupils disagree with recent calls for children to be taught sex education from as young as four.

“Learning about it at primary school would be too young,” said 14-year-old Nathan Prout. “I don’t think it would really be appropriate.”

“I think secondary school is the right age to start learning sex education,” added Chelsea Collins, aged 14. “I don’t think you would really understand at a younger age and I don’t think children need to know that young.”