Alison, 29, Portsmouth
Hi!!! Bravo Davina and Channel 4. You should be given an award for tackling the taboo and quite embarrassing subject of Sex and Relationships. The programme highlighted that obviously this country has no idea of the type of sex education our children need. Holland has proved that informing children at a young age about sex and keeping it consistent throughout their education gives them the knowledge they require to ensure that they make the right choices with regard to sexual behaviour and relationships. If this education was implemented to our children at a young age, i.e Age 6, and remained consistent throughout their schooling then they would consider that sex wasn't a taboo subject in their teenage years and beyond. I was impressed with how the 11 year old students in Holland remained calm and didn't get embarrassed unlike our teens flushed with embarrassment at the slightest mention of sex. Perhaps also if this SRE was introduced as a compulsory part of the curriculum then sex wouldn't be a taboo and embarrassing subject for us parents as well. Well done and let's hope the Government begins to listen and release pressure on our already bulging finances by introducing this subject to the National Curriculum a.s.a.p.
Jenny, 41
Having watched the programme today for the first time (the last one unfortunately), then browsed through the various comments, most of what I have to say has already been said (the positive stuff anyway) so I shan't repeat it all. Something that hasn't been mentioned (and if it has then I'm sorry) is that without decent sex education a lot of kids, especially boys, turn to pornography. I'm not a prude by any means, but I'm sure most people would agree that porn presents an unacceptable image of women for developing psyches which they then take with them into later life, and which probably contributes to the fact that domestic abuse against women is still so prevalent. Good sex and relationship education would surely help to address this problem too.
Tiffany
I have just watched your program on let's talk sex and I thought that it was great! I am a new teacher from Canada that has been teaching in the Barking and Daganhem area since Sept. 05. As a foreign teacher I have come to notice many things about British society and the National Curriculum that continue to puzzle me, and sex education just happens to be one of them.
Before I even tackle that subject, I have to say that the first thing that I noticed about British children, and that I am striving to correct within my own classroom, is the lack of independence. It blew me away when a child asked me if he could go onto the next page since he didn't have any room left on the current page. Why would a child ask something like that?
I have come to learn that the teacher and administration possess so much control over the children that they don't have the opportunities to develop some essential skills that they will need throughout their lives. For example, very few children understand the concept of self-assessment, self-evaluation, personal control and the ability to problem solve individually. As a year 4 teacher, I am trying to teach my students that they need to learn how to do these things without constant consent or reassurance from me. Bit by bit they are learning that they need to become more independent and develop their self-esteem as well.
Back to the issue of sex education, I believe that the above developments play a great role in the understanding and practice of safe sex and positive relationships. The four high school students that were taken to Holland and eventually taught their fellow classmates about safe sex demonstrate the self-esteem and independence that so many British children lack. They grew to understand that sex is a subject that cannot be avoided (especially in today's culture) and that if they receive the correct information they will be able to make better decisions within their own lives. And for them to teach other students their age with hands-on materials? That is fantastic.
Why do educators have to be fully responsible for their education? Students should have more responsibility for their education and many would be surprised to see that once they have been giving the responsibility, they will succeed. After all, as adults do we not have to accept and fulfill our duties responsibly both in our professional and personal lives? Why not teach our children how to do that at a younger age?
I could go on for hours talking about how as educators and parents we need to help our children positively throughout their personal growth. And, whether or not some want to admit this, personal growth goes hand in hand with our development of sexuality as well. If we teach our children to be confident and have pride in themselves, then they will learn to make confident decisions that reflect who they are as an individual. These beliefs in one's self and the condifence to make wise decisions are only supported when we, educators, parents and members of society, provide our children with the correct information and resources, and this includes sex education.
Sex is nothing to be ashamed of. It is a complicated yet simple process of life. It cannot be ignored, so why are we trying to do that? We should be confident in ourselves and teach our children to do the same in all aspects of their lives.
Anon
Hi just been watching the programme - fantastic! about time too! compulsory sex and relationship education early on is vital. Take it from a mother of three - 11, 9, and 6 who has to hide behind a cushion in embarrassment if anything of a sexually explicit nature comes on the on the telly! (I am 41!) Don't ask how my children were conceived, I believe it was quite dark at the time!
That aside I don't want my kids to be like me. I want them to be informed, to act with maturity, to know what they are about when it comes to having sex, to be unafraid but wise about its possibilities and implications. Let's reduce teenage pregnancy, sexual disease, by empowering our children with, as Davina says, early knowledge, consistent knowledge and compulsory knowledge. I for one would march to the houses of parliament (Initially by tube coz I am not that fit!) shouting wake up you government - look at the evidence and to Holland!
Zoe, Nottinghamshire
Just saw this morning's show on C4, have watched the info on your website and am amazed that the politicians in this country cannot see the clear truth in front of them!I am a committed christian and yes, marriage is an IDEAL, but this view clearly isn't helping the huge number of teenage pregnancies, stds, relationship problems etc. We definitely need a model like that of the Dutch. I have two daughters aged 11 and 9 and I am very open about all aspects of sex, they however find it more embarrassing than I do! My 11 year old has, over the last few months, been doing sex and puberty etc at school and is very giggly about it, but I think if it was taught as it is in the dutch schools, it would be commonplace, un-embarrasing and just another part of life and learning.
The parents who are disgusted by sex education and the help (condoms, emergency doctor's appointments etc) being given in some schools, are burying their head in the sand and are partly to blame for the state of this country. For the thousands of children who don't get an open view of sex at home for whatever reason, the only sensible option is to make it compulsory in schools. As a parent and as a christian I don't want my children to have sex until they are married, or at least old enough to understand fully about relationships, but if they do, at whatever age, I want them to be completely informed about every possible danger, I want them to be safe, protected, able to make their own choices and the only way to do this for every child, is to teach it to them in schools, from an early age!
Kara, 20
I am so surprised about the results from the Dutch sex education! I think they are definitely onto a winner with that explicit and open approach to sex ed. There are so many sex references in films, adverts and in life now-a-days that kids may as well get used to it at an early age so that they can make better choices in terms of contraception and relationships in the future. I had terrible sex education at school, my mum was very supportive and fairly open with me but I was never taught about contraception or STIs from either. If we could teach SRE exactly the same way as the Dutch, I strongly believe that it would be a fantastic change for Britain. I do not think that it will EVER happen though for us because our government is far too afraid to make such drastic changes. I think the government should have some guts and just do it, but instead they decide not to because of the possible reaction of a small percentage of parents who would not approve!!! I think very informative, practical sex education, just like the dutch approach should be brought in to Britain and made compulsory, but for those parents with strong beliefs who do not wish their children to learn sex ed, they should be given an opt out option, so then everyone is happy. I would be happy to get involved with this innovation and I am sure that many others would too. I think we get active about this as a group and do something about it!
Jo, 31, Surrey
i have just seen Davina's programme about sex education and thought that schools had got better since i was there ... obviously not!!
I had sex well before sex education was taught at our school, I probably agreed in part as 'that's what i thought teenagers did', part curious (as i had only school playground talk and a few romantic novels to go by!), and partly as i was not able to say no. (no self confidence taught at school either!!)
the guy was much older (i was 14, he 21) so i also thought he'd know what he was doing....
but i didnt realise until after he'd used no protection, nothing. If i had someone to talk to about this at school (nurse, teacher whoever) i would have got out of the situation MUCH sooner than i did, i stayed with him over almost a year even though he was all but abusive.
the other issue i feel goes very hand in hand with sex education, is alcohol education, as after this 1st dodgy experience (which i regretted quite soon after) i then started getting drunk (to stop the feelings of both what i had previously done and inadequacy) and again had sex on various occasions with various boys that i regretted. You still hear kids, even young adults , saying 'i got drunk & shagged ...?.. last night ' its a 'normal' thing to do!
well... i stopped drinking totally at 18 and have had a steady relationship since then too with 3 kids and one on the way. i feel so lucky that i didnt get pregnant as a kid, hiv or an STS. as it was far more luck than any knowledge on my part.
teach relationships from age 5, and then sex at late primary continuing all through secondary school... It NEEDS to be compulsory. ( its far more important than algebra lessons!!!)
I do however think that any medication (eg morning after pill or pill) should be not given by the school UNLESS checked by the childs GP, so their medical background is checked, and abortion advice ONLY with parents or in exceptional circumstances GP & counsellors backing.
but we cannot any longer leave our kids' future health to chance!
Nicola, 27, Stockport, Manchester
Even before I watched the series I was of the opinion that more could be done in schools to educate children in sex and relationship education, but this programme has really re-enforced this. I was shocked at the statistics. The government really need to take action. If they can enforce a legal age to have sex, then they need to back this up with education as to the reasons why. How can they dictate to us what age we should be having sex, whether or not gay or lesbian people can get married without providing people with the sex education that is needed to make informed decisions.
I was lucky I had a great mum who was very open and honest about sex and relationships, but I went to school with other children who weren't so lucky. When I was 15 there were 3 girls in my class that were pregnant, out of a class of 25! We were never taught sex education, yes we were shown a very out of date video about the reproductive system, but contraception was not mentioned at all.
I was speaking to parents in my office about this and all of them said that they would much rather their children were taught at school about sex and relationships, as the parents I spoke to really were not sure that information they were giving their children was a 100% accurate (I think the sex test Davina did with parents proved this point!)
Of course there are going to be parents that object to this type of education, there always will be (how many people thought that teaching girls sciences were a waste of time when it was first introduced?!) There must have been parents in Holland that objected, how did the Government in Holland deal with this? ...
Rosie, 17
I think the programme is great! It should certainly be given a prime time slot on channel 4 - I'm a full time sixth form student so although I managed to catch it today I doubt I'll be able to watch it again. It isn't just parents that feel uncomfortable talking to their children - I know my parents have both tried to be open with me about it in the past but I simply didn't want to talk to them about it. Having the opportunity to talk in class openly would have been so much easier. I've only ever had 4 lessons on relationships and sex in my school life and although these were taught well by the teachers, the students, including myself, were simply too inexperienced in talking about the subject to cope with the situation. If the lessons were more consistent (which I think is the key here) they would have definitely worked - when we came out of the classes we would all start to talk more openly for a couple of days until the lessons were forgotten and sex became a taboo subject once more.
It really is up to the Government in the end though. Schools need sex and relationship education to be compulsory for the simple reason that the Government has more authority. Parents are more likely to listen to them than their child's headteacher - and if Britain says this kind of education is not as important as our compulsory subjects, parents will probably go along with that!
Barbara
Well done channel4 and Davina. The program was fantastic and I totally agree with the issues raised. I have a three month old son and hope to be as honest as I can with him when it comes to sex. I belive if you start young with your children's sexual education they'll find it easier to come to you when they're older as it will have been normalised at a young age. my mother did that with me and I was very aware of STIs, possible pregnancy and the importance of being in a loving relationship. It made me a lot more careful and choosy when I felt ready for my first time. Keep up the good work and you can count on my support when it comes time to vote.
Lauren, nearly 17, Swansea
Your program was really informative, my mum taught me about sex and relationships etc. when I was very young and I just wish that all schools would teach the children the important facts. In my school there were about 3 lessons and if you missed them then it was your problem, most people in my year lost their virginity at a young age and some of them didn't even realise exactly what they were doing because they only knew where the penis went and know nothing about condoms, pregnancy, stis and stds. We only had one short lesson about contraception where we were watching a video and because the school only had one copy of the video there was about 65 people crowded into one room watching a tiny television that most couldn't see, there was never any hands on learning like in your program about how to put a condom on. I just wish that the Davina McCall sex test was compulsory too because then once people see their results they would understand how poor their understanding actually is. I believe it should be compulsory that sex education is taught and taught thouroughly because it's incredibly important, how can learning algebra and about poems be compulsory when something as important as sex and relationships isn't. There needs to be a national petition like Jamie Oliver's to make the Government see how important it is and how much it is needed in our schools.
Jessica, 15
in my school we have no sex ed. within 4 years we have had 1 lesson in which we were told that our bodies are changing and they told us about puberty. the lesson was about 20 minutes long. we don't know about safe sex or any of the infection that u can get. make sex ed compulsory.
Amanda, Leeds
Excellent programme, very informative and what an eye opener for us all!
May I suggest you carry out your own "opinion poll" getting folk to sign up to pressure the govt and ministers concerned to make sex and relationship education compulsory in ALL schools! Let us know and I definitely will be one of the first to sign up!
Kind regards and thanks again from a very concerned Mum
Debra, 39, the Wirral
Thank you Davina and Channel 4. I've just watched your program and the first thing that came to mind was the similarity between your program and the Jamie Oliver seres.
Why is it that the public seem to be shouting out for better education in all round life skills, yet the government are still holding back. It seems only a matter of common sense to say that children should be taught relationship/sex education from as young an age as possible. I have four boys and have found it quite difficult as a single parent to broach the subject of sex with them, but I have tried. With more parents than ever being in a similar situation to myself it seems more important than ever - from a relationship point as well as the sex education. I had a very poor sex education in school and only remember watching a video about child birth and my parents found the subject of periods traumatic, let alone the subject of sex. Please, please, please keep pushing this subject, it is so important for our future generation.
Bill
Excellent, excellent, excellent.
I work from home, (hence saw your programmes this week), have sent 3 girls and a boy (all now in their early 20s) out into the world, and would have loved for sex / relationship education to be mainstream in the schools they attended.
Now have 2 granddaughters and am worried that things won't improve by the time they hit school and get involved in relationships.
I have never been so totally involved in the content of a programme before. Davina hit the nail on the head, the public need to be led. Kids are sponges, and in the absence of the 'right information' will absorb the wrong information, which is all around them!!!
Please, please, please show these programmes again 'at peak viewing times' to get the message across. Sadly, the vast majority of 'voters / producers' will be out earning a crust at mid morning, as well you know. I only hope some forward thinking schools had the foresight to tune in and watched too.
D. Lighted of Tunbridge Wells
Dear channel 4, why isn't this programme shown as mainstream viewing?? It's obvious from the programme that British kids are in favour of compulsory SRE, but it will never happen unless the parents are brought on board, and many would never get to see it mid-morning.
Keep up the good work.
Alison, 26
Well done Davina, I was off work today and caught the programme by accident (it should be in a prime time slot!!). I am 26 and don't yet have children but I barely remember my sex ed at school. I think the boys and girls were separated and only the basic mechanics were discussed, nothing on the problems sex can bring to relationships. I was far too embarrassed to speak to my parents and most things I learned as a teenager were either from friends or through experience. I was a little shocked at the lesson on how to put on a condom until I remembered my first experience with one, the fact I did not get pregnant was probably a miracle. Needless to say my old high school has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in our area, possibly even in Scotland. By the time I left there at 17 there were already girls younger than me with babies. For the parents who suggest that they should be the ones to educate their children, I say who are you kidding? You cannot be with them 24/7, they already learn more from their friends and television than they do from you anyway. Yes, discuss your views on sex with them but don't always expect them to agree with you, as they get older they should be able to make a fully informed decision for themselves.
R, 21, Oxford
At 21 years old (a learner adult! and one who received little to no sex ed in a private girls boarding school - i never had the condom demonstration and lost my Vs because "I couldn't go to university with them could i??"), I am starting to take an interest in education because soon enough, it will be my turn to be a parent. Your programme has brought me through a positive rollercoaster ride of shock, acceptance and then determination to make sex education a norm in schools.
It is unbelievable to discover that the government cannot accept the plain and simple benefits of early, consistent and compulsory sex ed. A devoted Briton, it makes me extremely disappointed in the leaders of this country, that they are not treating this issue with priority. They do not even seem to be trying to rectify the problem.
Davina, don't stop! Your tv personality is so popular with teenagers and adults alike. I only kept the tv on in the morning because I heard the voice over introducing a programme with "Davina", i was not bothered about the "sex". But I'm so glad I watched it, there is such a problem regarding sex ed in our nation. An influential character like you could help to launch this campaign and to make people see it takes masses to be heard by the government. If lots of people kick up a fuss, then the government will have to do something about it. Surely this topic is more important than fox hunting, which took up a serious amount of government time. We have to start the process now because it will be a whole generation from now until we, as a nation, reap the benefits.
Get a campaign going. The government obviously dont realise that parents wouldnt be offended by sex education in schools and that they actually would appreciate it being compulsory.
At the moment sex ed is TOO biological, TOO abnormal, TOO little, TOO late.
Claire, 21, Cardiff
Different areas needing different levels of SRE is ridiculous, this is just another stereotype. The government is saying that all children in places like Merthyr Tydfil (which has one of the highest rates of teen pregnancies) deserve a full programme of SRE, but those in areas of little teen pregnancies deserve less! There are children in these "lower pregnancy areas" that need this type of education for various reasons (parents, personality, attitudes etc.). Those who receive little, if any, SRE, like me, learn from friends and magazines and parents (which as a teenager you do not always want to ask), which are not always accurate! Therefore it should be compulsory for all
Anon
Hi, just watched the programme and wanted to give my full support. As a mother of 2, girl 5 and boy 8 I would love them to have this kind of education in school, as it is now I will be making sure that they learn from me the open and honest way like the dutch.
Helena
Hi my name is Helena and i'm a student from Cork in Ireland. Somehow I got hooked into your show and found it excellent! I'm so glad that somebody is finally taking a stand on a major issue, it's not only prevalent in Britain though, we encounter it here too. There are so many teen pregnancies and STDs taking over just because of lack of knowledge. I really admire the Dutch education system but what I don't understand is why the rest of the world won't follow suit? It's ridiculous! Clearly it has worked for them and yet there is still all this hesitation going on, on whether to join the club?! Profound madness! It really shows that the people in government of our countries are seemingly closed to advancing forward in the world and for that they should be ashamed. The problem is very much an issue and they have the power to solve it. So why not go ahead?? I aplaud Davina and Channel 4 for taking a stand and acting as adults, well done!
Rach
i am 16 yrs old and i think your program was brilliant. it raised some really good questions and i totally agree with making sex and relationship education compulsory! i have only ever had one sex education lesson and every one was really embarased because it isn't talked about enough with adults. teens talk about it lots at school but not the way we should. we grow up thinking it's an embarrassing subject and a really big deal! i know lots of girls whose first time was a horrible experience, including myself, i think your program really pointed out that we can't all go to our parents, we don't know that much about sex and we do get put in situations where we don't know what to do or who to talk to! i know someone who went to their doctor, got emergency contraception and is now frightned every time she goes to the doctor's they will tell her mum! i hope the government listen!
Rachel, 19
It's great to see that so many people feel the same way about sex education. When I was in school we had one lesson a year after the age of 14. Aithough the lessons were good they were not enough. I'm all for 1 lesson a week! I think that if children are taught about relationships and sex from a very early age it takes away the embarrassment. It would also in the long run make it a lot easier for parents to speak to their children if they have had the same education. It would take the taboo out of sex which is what desperately needs to happen!
Rachel
Your programme highlighted how lacking my own sex education was and it frightens me that children are still receiving inadequate information about something which is so fundamental. Having lost my own virginity at 14 as an attempt to fit in and be accepted, I was particularly interested in how the Dutch develop self esteem in children in their sex and relationship lessons, and how this message is continued throughout their education. I think it is disgusting that our government is denying our children the right to develop their self esteem and knowledge. How can we expect young people to act responsibly if we don't give them the right information at the right time! Thanks for such a great programme Davina, here's hoping the government actually do something!
Clare, 17
I am so impressed with this programme. I am 17 and luckily had very open parents when I was little, so from the age of about 10 I knew that couples had sex to make children etc. I did not however have any sex education lessons at school and so my knowledge of everything was rather patchy. I remember learning about sex and relationships from the television and from friends at school and am still learning at the moment! I think that we need to stop being such prudes and tackle this issue head on. Promoting contraception and awareness will not make teenagers want to have sex, it will merely warn them about the pros and cons and help them to make their own decisions. How can learning about STDs be a bad thing?
The Dutch have the right idea, we should introduce sex education from an early age and as Davina quite rightly pointed out - early, consistent and compulsory.
Amanda
I was at home studying when taking a break caught Davina's show yesterday and thought it was great. About time - some serious straight talking on a subject that interests and concerns everyone!!! It is incomprehensible that in the 21st century we are unable to ensure that our children are given compulsory sex/relationship education in our schools.
The teachings in Holland demonstrate sensitive application of appropriate information even at the age of 4-5. This then breaks down the taboos and becomes accepted by children and enables them to talk to their parents. (who probably did not get this.)
Our government needs to take clear and strong direction to support our children and their future. The statistics are alarming and very saddening and many children's (young adults') first experience is not what any of us would wish. Ill informed and risky. These are important decisions that can affect people's lives for years to come. Why aren't the government listening to parents and teachers about this?
Davina we need to take this further and encourage others to demonstrate that we as parents and citizens wish to have this on the curriculum asap.
A Mum
You have made me hopping mad! ... You have set those 4 duped, underage, kids up to be spokespeople for their peers by making sex and all promiscuous behaviour pertaining to sex sound intellectual, exciting and adult. Who wouldn't be swayed by such an approach? How we have procreated for thousands of years without your advocacy I have no idea! Funny, because teenage pregnancies have only been an issue since we, as a society, started to take a more liberal view of sexual behaviour. These kids have been given a very one-sided and biased view of sex education. Knowing that there would be opposition to your programme and views, why didn't you do the honest thing and give the arguments for both sides? The teenage pregnancy rate and abortion rate has been steadily dropping in the USA for the past 15 years. Why didn't you bring their approach, abstinence, into the equation? Why didn't you inform the viewers that the Dutch have an abortion procedure known as menstrual extraction which is carried out up to 8 weeks of pregnancy and is not notified to the authorities as abortions in this country are? ... this was a very biased piece of sensationalist journalism. Promoting an hysterical one-sided crusade amongst impressionable underage kids does nothing for your credibility. It’s ‘Big Brother’ all over again with the same target audience.
Adrian, London
Excellent production. A hugely important, and major share of the show, was given over to listening to the experiences, and thoughts of young people. I am amazed at how much some of these young people were prepared to give to the production and they must know how much of an impact their contribution will have to those watching it. Hopefully those who see it that still feel SRE is a taboo will think again. The peer SRE scheme seems an excellent idea and the young people showing how to use condoms were mature, friendly and confident. They should be sent round all schools in the country!!
Davina was a great celebrity choice to present being open, warm, intelligent and frank. Most importantly she demonstrated a genuine respect for the young people she worked with and talked to. Davina came with her strong and valid opinions, which sometimes went against the progressive pitch of the show, but was prepared to investigate, listen and change her position. It was great to see her being convinced of the arguments rather than preaching to the converted.
The series would be excellent for showing at Teenage Pregnancy/Sexual Health seminars, conferences and exhibitions as well as parent groups, schools, children's centres. Hell, it should be a compulsory in-flight movie. I work on the Young People's Sexual Health Website (www.ypsh.net) and we have a database of professionals and people that work with young people that would love to get their hands on a copy!
Good work CH4
Zoe, 11
I'm 11 and my school teaches my class about sex when we was 10, but we only watched a video about how babies are made and how babies are born and talked about it for 15 minutes. And I didn't know that sre wasn't on the curriculum until your show said, I am amazed and so is my mum. The class started learning about relationships when we was in year 4 but we didn't talk about sex, we are in year 6 now. I think it is important that it does get to be in the curriculum, because too many people don't know the risks of STIs or STDs or the responsibility of a child. I think the government should take more responsibility, but also I think the parents should teach their children a bit more as the children only get to know a certain degree about it. The only reason why the government doesn't totally agree because they think the parents will disagree is because of the different religions as some will not want their children to know.
Angela, 33, Scotland
I found this programme very interesting. I think the sex education Holland are receiving is excellent. The only lesson I recall receiving was in Primary 6, it was one lesson and highly embarrasing.
I have seen a lot of teen pregnancies and feel it is down to the fact that talking about sex is taboo. My parents never discussed sex with me so I had to rely on talking about it with friends and quite frankly neither of us knew much about it. If the sex education is working so well in Holland then I don't see why we can't have it here. I do believe it should be compulsory and children in primary taught about relationships. I have a 2yr old daughter with another child due in June and I am already worrying about her falling pregnant in her teens or worse before her teens! I am also unsure how and when to broach the subject so I would feel a lot happier knowing it was a regular lesson in school which I knew about so I could then encourage my children to discuss what they were taught with me.
I agree with the teenagers on the programme, if it was more of an open subject then people wouldn't make such a big deal about having sex early on. They hear about others apparently having sex and want to be with the in crowd so feel they need to do it too. They need to fully understand the consequences of having sex at a young age both mentally and physically.
Something needs to be done to convince the government that making it compulsory is the right step to take.
Sally, Poole Dorset
I'm the stepmother of a 13 year old girl who attends a school with a history of teenage pregnancy, and am worried about the lack of sex education in her school.
Why don't the government find out what the parents and pupils actually want, instead of presuming that it will be a problem with all parents, and that pupils will be at it like rabbits when they find out the essential knowledge that they need to know.
My stepdaughter knows the basics about biology etc, but not enough to know how to keep herself safe from pregnancy and stds.
Teenagers will have Sex with or without comulsory sex education, But i'd rather she had all the facts and knowledge possible before she makes the desision to have sex. So in my opinion sex education should Be compulsory, And maybe Sex won't be quite so appealing or "big" when she finds out the details.
(Take note Mr Blair!!)
Sharon
Thank you for the programme Let's talk Sex i also thought that sex education was compulsory, and i find it totally irresponsible that the government appear to be unprepared to do anything constructive about the problem.
I don't want my step daughter arriving home telling me she is pregnant, i feel very strongly that there needs to be thorough, detailed and explicit material being taught so that children know exactly what they are doing. pressure to have sex is easy if you don't know what you are getting yourself into, but a lot harder if you know all too clearly the dangers.
Malcolm, 39, Scotland
My experience: Sex education left too late in school - ie after puberty and when children are talking amongst their peers - is typified by lots of giggling and embarassed glances. Teachers talk of the biology but little more. It is uncomfortable and achieves little, too late. We do not leave religious education until 14 years old (pity). British society needs to grow up. Parents need to grow up and be parents.
Rhiannon Gould, 17, South Wales
Wow! This program was fantastic! It has really opened my eyes to the major problem we have in the UK. My sex education was practically non existent and this is definitely not going to solve the issue of teen pregnancy in my school!
After watching this program I have decided to talk to my head master and try to get sex and relationship lessons into my school as I think they would be greatly beneficial.
I think it's time that the government stopped burrying their head in the sand and actually came up with a solution for this problem because it is quite clear that ignoring this issue is not making it go away!
Tamsin, 20
I am a trainee primary school teacher and have watched part of the series. I thought it was brilliant to see someone talking about sex properly and tackling the problem head on. I am hoping that the government will take notice and be seriously thinking about making SRE compulsory by the time I am a teacher. I would be extremely worried if it wasn't made compulsory in the time of my career. This series was excellent and I hope it has the effect it deserves.
Natalie, Cambridgeshire
Davina's Lets Talk Sex programes have been fantastic. They need to be broadcast in a major primetime slot, one per week like Jamie's School Dinners were to get the public response to build over a series of weeks into the fever pitch needed for action from the government I think. I'm quite sure that many more people would see it then, and would most likely react the way that I have, which is I can't believe we aren't doing what Holland is doing - surely it's a no brainer? I'm off to email my MP...
John, Exeter
The show was very enlightening. Have you considered commissioning a sex ed. programme in the Dutch style to show on Channel 4 when children could watch it. The main problem seems to be getting the government onside, but this never happens untill there is an obvious clammouring from a majority. I think your show goes over their heads, make the programme and bill it as the show the government won't let you see ...then hopefully in a few years those kids will be old enough to send stronger messages to the government and make them see sense.
Jemma
I have been off sick from college the last few days and watched this programme with extreme interest. As a teenager myself, I am 18 and in my first sexual relationship. I was the last of my friends to have sex, most of whom where having sex at the age of 16 – some having sex due to peer pressure. At primary school, I managed to miss 3 of the four sex ed videos we received and in secondary school my sex ed lessons coincided with extra curricular activities and so I missed those too. I think there is great need for compulsory sex education, especially after having seen the way in which Holland has benefited. I still don't know how to put a condom on, and most of my friends are on the pill simply because they hadn't heard of other types of contraception and it was the one which the doctors felt was 'easiest' for them. I am lucky enough to be open with my friends and family about sex, but I am well aware that others aren't. I completely support the notion for sex education to be compulsory in all schools. Davina is right in saying that some children should not be at a disadvantage because of their postcode. To teach sex and relationships together will surely lower sexual promiscuity and enforce the need for loving relationships over one night stands? And to all those parents who disagree with this idea, if children don't get the right facts from schools they would get them from the media surrounding them, possibly inaccurately. Sex is a fact of life, it's time everyone accepted this.
Neil, 32, Scotland
I would just like to comment on the programme just shown (22/03/06). I strongly agree with the issues raised and highlighting the problems, not just today but for the last 30 years. I am 32 and now have a (planned) 16 month-old-daughter, when I was at school the SRE was non-existant. I have always felt this to be a disgrace in our society. It needs to change and now, as your programme suggests. The comments from the minister interviewed was a typically shallow and naive response – can we afford to wait longer to find out this policy doesn't work?
Rachel, 15
after watching your programme i think it's a good idea and should definitely be compulsory. having only just over a year left at school we have not once had a sex education talk even though pupils are nagging teachers for it. it just still hasn't happened and in my opinion it's too late now. The vast majority of people i know (ie. Friends) have had unprotected sex, i think this is basically down to the fact that we are not completely aware of the conciquences! speaking for myself i know the ins and outs of sex and relationships but i wouldn't be completely confident in talking about it as i only know what i've picked up as i grow up! The earlier sex is taught the easier it will become for children to talk about it and it will start becoming less of a big deal as it will be a regural part of a child's school life. Something needs to be done about it now. it's shocking that teenagers in britain might go through thier whole school life without having a sex talk with anyone, school or parents! so i say let's talk sex!