No to the facts of life

The Sex Education Bill, proposed by Conservative MP Nadine Dorries, that calls for girls to be "taught to say no", has passed its first reading in parliament by 67 votes to 61.

The Bill would require schools to give girls aged thirteen to sixteen extra sex education lessons, giving "information and advice on the benefits of abstinence".

Nadine Dorries explains the Bill by quoting 2007 Office for National Statistics figures that showed that Britain has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Western Europe.

"Girls are taught to have safe sex, but not how to say no to a boyfriend who persists in wanting a sexual relationship."

Another survey on a related subject found that of 1,732 parents interviewed 59 per cent did not want their children being taught sex education between the ages of five to eleven. The survey was conducted by baby product website www.babychild.org.uk

Parents surveyed were asked whether they agreed "with the fact that sex education is often taught to children in schools, even from a young age".

From those that disagreed, 41 per cent said it was “inappropriate to teach children about sex", 28 per cent said "it should be the parent's choice to teach their own child," with 27 per cent stating there is “no need for children to know about sex" and 22 per cent saying that "the lessons may encourage children to ask more about sexuality and sex".

Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education - which includes teaching on sex and relationships - is not compulsory in England although it is in the national curriculum. It’s compulsory to teach the biological facts of reproduction in secondary school science lessons and parents have the right to withdraw their children from the class if they should wish too.

Parents suggested that thirteen and older was the correct time to teach about sex education. One in four said it should be the parents' choice to teach their own child. Many said they had already been asked about sex by their kids with most of these children asking between the ages of four and seven.

The survey showed that parents are not confident explaining about sex with 38 per cent admitting to being ‘embarrassed’ and 31 per cent of ‘not knowing what to say’ when asked about sex.

The future of sex education is part of a current review of the entire national curriculum ordered by ministers.