Feb 10, 2010 / 11:55 am
The International Planned Parenthood Federation recently issued a report that advocates sex education being given to children as young as ten years old and criticized the Catholic Church for denying the “pleasurable and positive aspects of sex.” The report has faced backlash from religious communities, including one critic who claimed that it supports “physical and emotional bondage.”
Planned Parenthood's “Stand and Deliver” report, published in Nov. of 2009, states that “Young people's sexuality is still contentious for many religious institutions. Fundamentalist and other religious groups – the Catholic Church and madrasas (Islamic Schools) for example – have imposed tremendous barriers that prevent young people, particularly, from obtaining information and services related to sex and reproduction. Currently, many religious teachings deny the pleasurable and positive aspects of sex.”
The report states that children 10 and older should be regarded as “sexual beings” and given a “comprehensive sexuality education” by governments, aid organizations and the like. The report also asserts that sex education should reflect human sexuality as “a positive force for change and development, as a source of pleasure, an embodiment of human rights and an expression of self.”
Numerous critics have responded to the release of the report, including Teresa Tomeo, Catholic author and syndicated talk show host, who countered Planned Parenthood's claims in an email interview with CNA on Tuesday.