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Toddler+
You are looking at: Home : News & Gossip : Toddler+

Sex education for 4-year-olds?

Children as young as 4 years should have compulsory sex education, sexual health charities say.

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Posted: 15 September 2009
by Cassandra Kempster-Roberts
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Gradual sex education from the age of 4, could mean children are less likely to rush into sex.

Gradual sex education from a very young age would help our children not to rush into sex, to two sexual health charities told BBC Newsbeat.

More needs to be done to cut sexually transmitted infections and abortion figures among teenagers, the Family Planning Association and Brook have said.

The charities say the basic sex lessons kids get in science class aren’t adequate.

The Department for Children, Schools and Family said it was reviewing the delivery of school sex education.

At the age of 4, the names of body parts and simple ideas about different relationships could be taught to children.

The Family Planning Association and Brook feel the government isn’t giving our children enough info about relationships and sex.

He added: “All the evidence shows that if you start sex and relationships education early - before children start puberty, before they feel sexual attraction - they start having sex later,” said Brook chief executive Simon Blake, “They are much more likely to use contraception and practise safe sex.”


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So what do you think?

Ella Townsend
I think it's wise to teach them the body basics but if they venture into full-on, sex education I would have to say no no no no!! Too much, too young! About 3 years ago
yorkshirelou
i dont like this-they are to to young-when is the government or anyone for that matter gona realize that the reason girls are gettin pregnant young is cos of the media-i say watch the sky music channels where every girl is writhin around in her underwear and wearin hair extensions and fake make up-girls emulate that a nd think thats how they hav to act and look so they grow up too soon-look older than they are and therefore hav sex earlier-its also magazines and tv too-it is not lack of sex education just as smokers dont stop smokin just cos of a tv campaign-they do it anyway. sex education is adequate but some one needs to take the media in hand About 3 years ago
mummabear

Some good points there Yorkshirelou,I agree,media is so influential these days,sad but true.

I wouldn't want my lads at 4 having sx education,however I do think I'll probably try and explain to my boys all about it perhaps at 10,just because as Lou pointed out,they grow up so quick these days,10year olds look 13. Respect for yourself is main concern with me-for boys or girls.

About 3 years ago
x.Laura.x
four is FAR to young to know everything, maybe where babies come from but not the gory facts!!! I knew at around 8 and was quite savy and sensible i think imo! Yes i was a mum at 18 but my son was planned id been in a stable relationship for 2 yrs and were still very happy together and hopefully will stay that way, age isnt a factor in being in a good relationship and decent parenting, but My mum informed me of stis etc which i think many teens know nothing about, ie the pill stops them, stupid!!! About 3 years ago
yorkshirelou
i have a girl of 11 and she is just startin to look older and dress cool-i wear make up every day and do my hair and wear all of topshop-haha! and its comin bk on me now as she wants to copy me-ie short skirts and skinnies-she is askin bout stuff and i find myself gettin a little embarrased as im still only young myself-don t know how to answer sometimes so if school is doing it for me thats gud then i can answer stuff as best i can-i wont let her wear those things tho or wear make up she is just too young but the pressure is there as she wants to fit in About 3 years ago
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