Teaching sexual morals keeps teens from being ‘open,’ U.K. sex ed leaflet says

London, England, Feb 24, 2009 / 23:28 pm

A new leaflet from the British government advises parents to be cautious about discussing moral values when they talk to their children about sex and also advises that teenagers should be encouraged to form their own views about sexual morals.

The leaflet, titled “Talking to Your Teenager About Sex and Relationships” will be distributed in pharmacies beginning in March as part of an initiative led by U.K. children’s minister Beverly Hughes, the Sunday Telegraph reports.

Hughes said that the government doesn’t raise children but argued it has a role in “supporting parents and giving them access to advice and information.”

Any discussion of moral values should be kept “light,” the leaflet advises, recommending that parents talk with their children about sex at as young an age as possible.

“Discussing your values with your teenagers will help them to form their own. Remember, though, that trying to convince them of what’s right and wrong may discourage them from being open,” it says, according to the Telegraph.

The leaflet also provides technical information on different forms of contraception.

Simon Calvert, deputy director of the Christian Institute, criticized the leaflet.

“The idea that the government is telling families not to pass on their values is outrageous,” he said, according to the Telegraph. “Preserving children’s innocence is a worthy goal. We would like to see more of that kind of language rather than this amoral approach where parents are encouraged to present their children with a smorgasbord of sexual activities and leave them to make up their own minds.”