DS’s school to teach abstinence education

[Childsschool128]

DS goes to a normal state school but they have sent home a letter saying that their sex ed they will be teaching from next term will include:
-the benefits of having one lifelong monogamous partnership
-the risks of contraceptives
-the dangers of unprotected sex
-the benefits of not having sex in teenage years
-the health risks of sexual promiscuity.
DS is 15 (year 10) and there has never been any indication they were anything other than mainstream in the past. Is this really what is taught in UK schools nowadays DS is my eldest so I have never had to deal with anything like this before.

The pill is not safe sex.
Your school is doing a good job and helping teenage girls to resist pressure. Some of those girls - often the most vulnerable - only get “go for it” messages from home, their peers and of course their boyfriends. Good to have an alternative!

researchers published a systematic review of systematic reviews (there have been so many), summarizing 224 randomized controlled trials. They found that comprehensive sex education improved knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and outcomes. Abstinence-only programs did not.

from the New York Times

Of course abstinence should be taught as a valid choice, but not the only choice.

Also who wants to be stuck on the pill for ever and a day. It can't be that good for you

People are getting quite hung up on what abstinence does or doesn’t mean HOWEVER although the OP uses the word in the thread title, abstinence isn’t actually mentioned in the description of what will be taught....

This sounds excellent and exactly what is needed right now I think the tories need to take note of this

@Allington

researchers published a systematic review of systematic reviews (there have been so many), summarizing 224 randomized controlled trials. They found that comprehensive sex education improved knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and outcomes. Abstinence-only programs did not.

from the New York Times

Of course abstinence should be taught as a valid choice, but not the only choice.

This has nothing to do with what is being discussed. Abstinence-only is very different than non-faith based abstinence + all the options listed in the OP.

In the US, you have to keep in mind that abstinence-only programmes are often taught by faith-based groups and are found in the more religious areas and honestly have little in common with the UK.

Catholic school or a academy?

I agree it’s feels a bit weird. Religiously.

What’s next, anti-choice? God head of the church and husbands head of the family?

The whole point is it doesn't matter what people on MN thinks, it's what the relationship and sex education guidance says that's important! As @Bananahana points out it could be any crackpot idea. Could be, there's no such thing as rape in marriage or watching porn is good for ideas. School leaders aren't allowed to push their own agenda or beliefs, thank goodness.