Don’t sound judgmental about porn, teachers told

TEACHERS have been urged to be ‘open-minded’ about discussing porn in lessons, according to new advice given to schools.

Guidelines – called ‘Let’s Talk Porn’ – say teachers must be ‘non-judgmental’ when talking about controversial sex-education issues.

But experts warned last night that teaching youngsters about pornography risked making it appear normal.

Sexual health charity the Family Planning Association (FPA), which issued the advice, insists most parents want schools to discuss subjects related to pornography such as body image and consent.

Its tips include suggesting members of staff practise ‘explaining what words related to porn mean in a neutral way’.

But Professor Alan Smithers, of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at Buckingham University, said: ‘Pornography is not just titillating but it is frequently abusive. Discussing it neutrally in class runs the risk of making it appear normal and tempting children to view pornography and try some of the behaviour for themselves. It is much more important that as part of character formation, schools teach sensitivity and respect in human relationships.’

The FPA provides a template letter for parents to send to schools, checking issues related to porn were covered in lessons. Its survey of 2,004 parents found 78 per cent believed schools should be talking about ‘ subjects related to pornography, such as body image, self-esteem, consent and communication’.

Natika Halil, of the FPA, said: ‘It’s about ensuring that young people’s education provides an opportunity to frankly discuss a range of issues, so that they have the skills they need to contextualise pornography as a fantasy and to challenge some of the stereotypes it may contain.’

A Commons report last year recommended lessons about porn from primary school onwards.