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PARENTS SHUN SEX EDUCATION

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Thursday April 12,2007

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TEENAGERS are learning about sex from magazines, says the education watchdog.

That’s because their parents are either too embarrassed to talk about sex or simply lack the knowledge to tell them the facts of life.

Even though the lads’ magazines are often sexist and explicit, Osted says that they could be a “positive source for some teenagers”.

It also says that a shift in mother-daughter relationships has meant that girls at the crucial age of 12 and 13 are now also less likely to talk to their mums about sex.

An Osted report, based on 350 school inspections over the past five years, says: “As well as failing to provide the information themselves, some parents express concern about the suitability of information that young people receive from other sources, such as magazines, even when these could be useful.

No matter how difficult it may be, they have to discuss sensitive issues with their children and pupils

Miriam Rosen

“For example, the increase in the number of magazines aimed at young men, while at times reinforcing sexist attitudes, has helped to redress the balance of advice available to young people.”

It adds that the problem pages in magazines remain a very positive source of advice and reassurance for many young people.

Osted’s director of education, Miriam Rosen, said that parents and teachers should be the main sources of sex education for children.