Outside experts should teach us about sex - March 30, 2010

The HeadsUp online forum for 11-18 year-olds, which took place from 1-19 March, has published its report of young people's views on sex education. The young people taking part in the Sex education - do you get enough? forum,  felt that they did not want to be taught sex education by people they know, for example their teachers, but felt an outside specialist or expert in sex education would be preferable and less embarrassing:

Who should teach us is definitely not teachers as it is embarrassing and awkward it should be somebody from outside the school so maybe somebody from Brooke or other sexual health organisations that exist out there.

I would most certainly not want to learn from teachers and school, it would be embarrassing.

Download the full report here.

Young people on the forum also suggested that the main way they learned about sexual relationships was through peer dialogue and the media, but there was recognition that this was an ineffective and potentially dangerous way of transmitting vital knowledge about such an important element of young people's development.

The following themes were debated by young people with their peers and decision makers:

• Is society too sexualised? - The availability of sexually explicit material was raised and the link was highlighted between constant exposure to this and to a skewing of sexual values amongst young people.
• Teenage pregnancy - Teenage parenthood was not seen as being a conscious or positive choice, but something that there should be more information about and support for teenagers in this situation.
• Who do you want to teach you about sex? - Forum users disagreed on the role of parents in sex education; most felt that schools had a part to play so facts could be learned without subjective judgements about sexual behaviour.
• The age of consent - the principle of the age of consent was seen as positive, however what age young people were mature enough to make this decision was a point of disagreement.

HeadsUp is an online debating space, run by the Hansard Society, for 11-18 year-olds to discuss their views on political issues with their peers and influential decision makers. It aims to build young people's levels of political awareness and participation so that they can play an effective role in the democratic processes affecting their lives. HeadsUp is also a space politicians can use to consult with young people and find out their ideas, experiences and opinions.

Legislators and decision makers that took part in this forum were:

• Annette Brooke MP (Liberal Democrat shadow spokesperson for Children, Schools and Families)
  
• Mike Hancock MP Professor Roger Ingham (University of Southampton)
  
• Bethan Jenkins AM (Plaid Cymru Spokesperson for Child Poverty and Culture)
  
• Anna Martinez (Sex Education Forum)
  
•  Jenny Randerson AM (Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Economy, Transport and Education)
  
•  Janet Ryder AM (Chair of the Constitutional Affairs Committee, Welsh Assembly)
  

Beccy Allen, HeadsUp Project Manager said about the forum:

"Sex education is a subject that many teenagers have well-formed opinions on. Who better to ask about the quality and effectiveness of this education than the young people receiving it? Young people's knowledge of this subject is crucial both for them and wider society - and a reason why those in power should take careful note."

For more information or to discuss HeadsUp please contact Beccy Allen, HeadsUp Project Manager 020 7438 1214 or r.allen@hansard.lse.ac.uk

Editors' Notes

• Read the full report here.
• HeadsUp (http://www.headsup.org.uk/) is an innovative website where young people aged 11-18, debate political issues and learn about the political process. The site is a non-partisan, cross-party educational resource that provides a secure, structured and student-centred discussion platform. It includes information for students and lesson plans and activities for teachers to ensure quality debate on the forums.
• Two ways to register to participate in HeadsUp:

1. Young People - If you are 11-18 and want to get in on the action you need to complete the Student Sign Up Form.
2. Teachers/youth workers - can register a whole class/school/year group by completing our Teachers Registration Form.

• The project is part-funded by the House of Commons.
• There are currently 868 schools registered with HeadsUp.