‘Toddlers too young to learn about sex’
CHILDREN as young as three should learn about sex in a way that moves away from the ‘too straight, too biological and too focused on risks’ approach, a new report suggests.
The major study, published this month, recommends a major overhaul of the way children are taught about sex and relationships.
It wants to “make sexuality and relationships education a statutory part of the new curriculum for all schools (age 3-16)”.
The Sex and Relationship Education Expert Panel reported that there was a gap between young people’s own experiences of sexuality –both in real life and on the internet – and what was being taught to them in ‘sex and relationship education’ (SRE).
The Welsh government has welcomed the report, along with equalities campaigners.
But opposition figures said they believed starting sex education at such a young age was wrong.
Kirsty Williams, the cabinet secretary for education, said: “Creating an education system which helps all our young people become adults who are healthy, confident individuals is a key part of our National Mission.
“I will now consider the report and will publish my response early in the New Year”.
Among the findings of the report were that “school based SRE programmes have been criticised for being ‘too biological’ at the expense of a focus on children’s rights, equity, emotions and relationships; and too negative and risk-focused, at the expense of the affirmative and positive aspects of relationships and sexuality.”
The report, created by the panel chaired by Professor Emma Renold, Cardiff University, added: “Current SRE provision is not enabling children and young people to understand and negotiate the challenges and complexities they may face in relation to sexuality and relationship issues off line and online.
“Few SRE programmes address children and young people’s diverse needs, particularly in relation to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer+ 3 (LGBTQ+) and other minority sex, gender and sexual identities, expressions, experiences, relationships and rights.”
North Wales Assembly Member Michelle Brown said that children of three were just too young to be getting these types of lessons.
She said: “In my view, every child is unique and will let you know when they’re ready to know by asking questions. At the age of three, you’re pretty much aware of the difference between boys and girls, but are they capable of understanding anything more subtle? Probably not and why inflict biological information that won’t be relevant to them for another few years.
“Answer questions honestly, but information shouldn’t be foisted on children who should be focusing on getting covered with mud, sand, paint, and having loads of fun.”
Assembly member Nathan Gill, of UKIP, added: “Most toddlers – because that is what children aged three to four are – are not in formal education, nor do most of them have an inkling about the birds and the bees.
“I am concerned that trying to provide a framework of education for children as young as this could end up being very confusing and counterproductive. I would not be comfortable with my own children receiving sex education before they are taught maths and writing. This is the state trying to take over the role of parenting which is wholly wrong.”