Custardo I think ?when my children were 3 i stopped them running into the road. when my children are of an age they may be sexually active it is still my responsibility to guide them as a parent and I hold strongly to that responsibility? sums up how I feel too. Unfortunately not all parents feel that way and therefore it is necessary for sex ed to be informative and not a switch off, as it vry often is. My dd has had a similar experience in her classes too Yet it is very necessary for young people to be able to get independent confidential advice.
I think some parents don?t like the idea of their children getting such advice (particularly without their consent) and in the recent case regarding an abortion without being performed without the parents knowing it is interesting that months later the young woman (15) is pregnant again and her parent seems pleased. However, although a parent may find not being informed as hurtful, sly etc surely it is preferable than an unwanted pregnancy? Maybe what hurts is the knowledge that their child could not talk to them about it?
At some point children grow up and become independent, sex and sexuality is all part of it. It is impossible and perverse to imagine a toddler as a sexual being but a fifteen year old? Ignoring a 15 year olds developing sexuality is denial and dangerous. Trying to control a young persons sexual self (beyond giving guidance) for instance by telling them they simply should not be having sex etc., is, imo unrealistic.
Whilst I don?t like the idea of sole responsibility coming down on the girls head in reality it will be her responsibility and her body that has to cope with the consequences (pregnancy/abortion). Furthermore, whilst I personally don?t particularly like the idea of injected contraception (all forms of medication carry a risk of side effects which one needs to be aware of before hand) & it may be a very good choice for some as once given one can forget about it. I wonder how many people would trust their 15 yearolds to remember to take the pill?
Branster, whilst I understand your point about individual responsibility I am afraid that I would argue that young people of 12/13/14 aren?t necessarily ready to face the reality of the risks they are taking. The recent thread on this site about what people wish they done more of before they?d had children shows how it is not until one has children, even as an adult, the reality actually hits home. Parents and education are culpable and so is a society where, in some areas, the ?only? thing some young girls can aspire to is having a baby. I am afraid we will have to agree to disagree
Nikkichik, the research you mention and the project that spun from it sounds really interesting and imo spot on. I suspect that children whose parents actively access parenting sites are (generally) slightly more likely to be informed about such issues simply because of the fact that their parents take their own roles very seriously? but that is a sweeping generalisation ;)