Safe sex message vital, at right age

Sex and health education is an important part of children's schooling, but young Kiwis are being given too much information, too soon.

News this week that children as young as 12 are taking part in sex education classes has horrified local school principals.

The Bay of Plenty Times on Monday reported that children as young as 12 were being taught about oral sex, and 14-year-old girls were being taught how to put condoms on plastic penises.

While the often-graphic nature of these sex education lessons is considered acceptable, and necessary, by some parents, many others are shocked and say it has gone too far. Western Bay intermediate principals spoken to by this newspaper yesterday agreed, saying that the there is no need to deviate from the Ministry of Education programme, which focuses on puberty rather than sex.

There is no doubt that children must be educated on the risks of sexual activity. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of teen pregnancy in the world and our STD rates are nothing to shout about either.

Children are more socially aware than ever before and some as young as 12 are sexually active.

It is imperative they receive the necessary information to protect themselves. But we must also protect the innocence of our children.

Teachers offering advice on adult topics are only sending the message to young people that it's okay to be sexually active.

Tauranga child psychotherapist Augustina Driessen believes the explicit nature of some teachings could be disturbing to children's normal developmental stages.

Western Bay schools are taking the right approach by sticking to the ministry programme and those that are identified as needing more advice than rest of class need to be referred to parents - or if that is not suitable, a school counsellor. Parents must have a say on what and when teachings will deviate from the ministry programme.

There will be some who believe schools are not responsible for this education at all, and while this may be the case, we must be realistic. Not all parents are capable of delivering the message and in many cases children are not always able to approach them.

It is vital children receive the safe sex message but it must be at the right age and and in an appropriate forum.