Sex education: the teenage agenda

Asserts that if schools and other agencies are to offer appropriate sex education and advice, they must ask young people themselves what they want and then act on it. Discusses the place of sex education within the National Curriculum, and how its delivery is often seen in terms of “problems”. Believes adults rarely see sex education in a wider context – equal opportunities, learning to value self and others, developing a feeling of well‐being, confidence and assertiveness. Considers that education from schools and other caring agencies is inadequate and that those services offered to young people are not meeting their needs; if education and services are to develop in ways appropriate for young people, there is a need to enlist their help rather than assume that adults know best. Exemplifies this idea by inviting pupils to participate in writing articles on sex education the outcome of which has led to the setting up of a day′s conference with a view to establishing priorities and making commitments. Concludes by hoping to bring about improved and more appropriate education and sexual health services, both within and without the classroom.