RESOURCES:Talking about sex positively

In a recent publication Professor Jane Lewis from the University of Oxford has concluded that the current UK approach to sex education is flawed because sex is so often portrayed as illicit, undesirable and therfore to be avoided. Comparing the UK once again with the Netherlands she highlights how Dutch parents talk more openly with their children and schools are much more open and positive about health issues including healthy sexual behaviour. Although teaching materials are similar, the attitudes and atmosphere in which sex education is delivered are different. Quoting a passage from a Dutch booklet for pupils about "making love with patience and pleasure", Professor Lewis said it would be impossible to find such a passage in an English classroom text.

In the Netherlands people are encouraged to think about what they want and take responsibility. In many schools in the UK sex is taught in the same part of the curriculum as smoking, drugs and alcohol, with subsequent mixed messages about healthy sexualities and behaviours.

Barbara Hastings-Asatourian, Senior Lecturer and Director of Community and Learning Disabilities Nursing Studies at the University of Salford has recently published a sex education resource in the form of a board game, "Contraception" which has been designed to get people talking to each other in a more open way about safer sex and relationship issues. She hopes that this resource will create a new medium for conveying sound messages about healthy sex, safer sex and relationships. The game promotes assertiveness and informed educated choices in relationships.

BACK TO RESOURCES INDEX

TOP

Finalist in British Female Inventor of the Year April 2003 Finalist in National Business Awards Entrepreneur Category 2003 A BFIY's Top 10 Woman Inventor and Innovator 2005 Finalist in 2005 E-Commerce ICT Innovators Awards- Health Category (DTI Interforum) Winner of 2006 Exceptional Exporter Award (UKTI, Chamberlink, Salford City Council)