Sex education lessons fail to engage pupils

Young people are “highly critical” of the sex and relationships
education they receive in school, according to a new report.

Researchers found that most young people thought that sex and
relationships education was squeezed into a few lessons, poorly
delivered and too limited in scope. There was also concern that
lessons focused too much on heterosexual relationships and treated
sex as a negative experience.

The research, commissioned by sexual health charity Family
Planning Association, concludes that focusing on scare stories and
the negative aspects of sex “is a real turn-off” and fails to equip
young people with the skills to handle relationships.

Young people’s attitudes to sex were found to be
influenced by their peers, with different friendship groups
restraining or encouraging sexual activity.

Young men said they felt under pressure to display sexual
confidence and experience, while young women admitted to having sex
in order to keep their partner.

• Are You Ready? from www.fpa.org.uk