PHSE - year 8 - discussing female genital mutation

[mullingitallover]

Does this seem an appropriate topic to discuss without any prior warning or further conversation during a PHSE lesson with year 8s (12-13 year olds in a Co-Ed class).

Earlier in the day they had watched an emotive video about extreme poverty in Africa.

It all feels too much to me.

It's fine. I had two very good friends in secondary school that both had the most severe form of FGM. We used to talk about it and it never traumatised me.

They are being offered the HPV vaccine at this age, and spoken to about what it’s protecting, so I think it’s age appropriate.

Yes think it's appropriate

Unfortunately some students themselves may be subject to this abhorrent practice. Students need to be educated as early as possible so they can speak out if they fear it happening to them.

@KangarooKenny I don't understand the link between HPV vaccine and FGM, what do you mean?

Yes, I think it's appropriate, as long as it's discussed with sensitivity.

I assume you mean mutilation, but yes, it's appropriate.

If the kids are being spoken to, at that age, about sexually transmitted viruses and cancer of the penis, cervix and anus, that aren’t too young to discuss FGM.

Thanks @KangarooKenny

This.

Of course it’s appropriate. About the right age to learn about this abhorrent practice and why it should be stopped

I think it is appropriate.

Yes of course it is. There are lots of girls in this country at risk of this. They absolutely need to be educated that it isn't right!

If anything I’d say it’s too late. Girls in this country are taken abroad to be cut at primary school age.

Given it happens to girls at around that age then it is vital it’s spoken about in schools. Both so those at risk know it’s not normal and how to speak out and their peers are aware what things they may hear which should make them speak out.

I'd say it's an essential part of PHSE. It will be too late for the majority of girls for whom this is an issue, but at least educating them may help future generations.

Its absolutely appropriate, girls need to be aware of it and how to raise it with somebody