to be a bit surprised that 11 year olds had school lesson involving putting a condom on a banana?

[Mintyy]

So this is a Year 7 class in a local academy.

Aibu to think that they are still a wee bit too young for this?

[Philippa1110]

I went to a convent school where sex education was not well-taught, largely because of the fact that catholicism and contraception are on a collision course of epic proportions. At least one girl in my class, and one in my younger sister's class, had babies in their teens and in both cases I think were under 16 when they got pregnant. Demonising, proselytising and banning Do Not Work. I would much rather find a used condom in either of my daughters' rooms (in due time; they are both under 3!) than either a positive pregnancy test or a course of herpes medication. I will tell them why waiting is good - I was 19 - but I would much rather they knew how to avoid bad outcomes than that they found themselves in a situation way out of their control.

[Felicitywascold]

It's not that the appropriate values aren't being taught, it is that they (in some cases) aren't being learnt.

Just covering the topic and learning the facts- be that mechanics, or emotional 'facts' does not an empathetic, responsible teen make.

And I'm certain that schools are only a part of that learning.

[StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes]

But why tell 11 year olds how to have safe sex if it is illegal for them to have sex for another five years. They should be told sex before the age of 16 is illegal. Not shown how to have safe sex by schools. The more I think about it the more wrong I think it is. Sorry if this goes agains the thinking of the majority. fgs sex and relationship ed in school, or Relationship and sex ed as its called here is NOT just about safe sex, its about attitudes, laws, respect, peer pressure, self esteem, acknowledgement that having sexual feelings is ok, there is no encouragement to act on them. The aim is to equip pupils with the skills and knowledge to make decisions for themselves within a set of parameters that include it being against the law, harm reduction and assertiveness skills to say NO until they are ready. NOT every teen is having sex, some are for all the wrong reasons, some are for the right reasons, many choose not to. telling them about it and encouraging sensible discussion about choices and being safe is not going to make someone do it. OH yes it's also about what they learn at home so get on and tell them what it is you want them to know too.

[StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes]

I will always remember a year 6 teacher saying that after a sex ed class, a timid girl asked her " Miss, do I HAVE to have sex?" then I am sorry but that was a badly taught lesson. I second whoever said it should be taught by properly trained teachers or better still someone from outside the school like a trained youth worker or school nurse. a survey of PSHE in our local schools showed the majority of kids would prefer to be taught by someone other than a regular teacher and also said that they should be specially trained. most also wanted relationship and sex ed to be done earlier that they had it! and called for it to be consistant in all our schools and regular so that those who were 'off that day' still got it. many thought schools shied away from teaching it and once done 'ticked a box' never to return. we should listen more to what pupils want.

[StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes]

and while I am still on my soapbox, RSE should start way back in education, I don't mean mechanics and condoms and STI's but back in infants teaching respect, how to be friends, caring for others, listening to others, also personal hygiene like washing hands etc is all part and parcel of good RSE, the mechanics etc come later on and if taught well at age appropriate stages we end up with well rounded adults with a healthy attitude to RSE interspersed with personal / family/ religious beliefs.

[ISingSoprano]

I agree StepAway. At my dc's school there is a team of pastoral staff who teach PSHE (and thus sex ed) but most importantly nearly all have a background in youth work - they are not curriculum teachers.

[ghoulygumdrops]

We did this at school in pairs, one boy one girl, using condoms and test tubes when i was 11 - 22 years ago!

[laughtergoodmedicine]

Things have clearly changed in schools since my day We kept rabbits

[PostBellumBugsy]

Think it is fantastic that schools do this (banana/carrot/plastic willy - condom thing). Shame that so many parents shy away from talking to their children about sex.
I also think that all young teens should have to watch that show "16 & Pregnant". If ever there were lessons to be learnt about how tough it is to be a teen parent, they are all in that.
They should do more "self-respect" lessons too, so that teenagers can understand that saying no is a bloody sensible option too, that they should be proud of taking!!!!!

[whathasthecatdonenow]

Well, I had fun today with my Year 9s putting condoms on the plastic penis whilst wearing the beer goggles - demonstrating how difficult it can be to be safe when you are drunk.

[cory]

"But isn't anyone else bothered that the mechanics of condom use seems to be taught in a vaccuum?"

No, because it isn't.

Dc's sex education has certainly not been in a vacuum; it has been in the context of carefully thought out lessons and class discussions on such issues as relationships, personal safety, resisting peer pressure etc. Noone has ever hinted that they should be having sex before the age of consent or indeed that one ever should have sex just to live up to other people's expectations.

This is how it should be taught- if it isn't happening in your school, then you should complain, just as you should complain if they aren't covering the maths curriculum.

[OldMumsy]

whathasthecatdonenow that sounds like an epic lesson! I wish we had had that when I were a lad.

[MrsBucketxx]

i think its a good thing knowledge is power after all. yabu

the age of vonsent is there yo protect children from adults mostly its not enforced child to child on the whole.

[MrsBucketxx]

consent not voncent

[WakeyCakey]

My dsd's school sent us all letters but also invited us to a night where we could experience the lesson before the kids to decide if we thought it appropriate.
Highly embarrassing, utter good fun.

The main thing to remember is their safety. DSD has an older sister who was pregnant at 17. statistics show that dsd will probably also as her mum was also pregnant at 18.
I'd much rather she knew it all :-)

[MadameCastafiore]

Think thus is an excellent idea. Better to have bolted the stable door before the horse has bolted IMO.

Mind you being allergic to latex both the banana and the condom would have huge implications for me. Luckily the word sex was never uttered at my convent school, we were taught about frogs reproduction cycle and I was quite disappointed that I would have to have a whole baby and not such lay some spawn in the pond in the back garden!