UK government advises parents how to talk to their teens about sex

A new pamphlet, Talking to Your Teenager About Sex and Relationships, to be available in pharmacies from March, has caused some controversy.

The new pamphlet, produced by the NHS and Parentline Plus and promoted by the children’s minister Beverley Hughes, suggests that parents use the lives of celebrities as a way of introducing the topic, the Guardian News Blog reports.

Informal moments, such as when watching TV, rather than sitting teenagers down for a “big talk” are the best times for broaching the topic, the pamphlet suggests.

“When it comes to sex and relationships, young people tell us that they would prefer advice and information to come from their mum or dad,” Hughes said.

“We want parents to help young people to resist the pressure to have early sex, but also to explain the importance of using contraception if and when they do decide to have sex. Parents tell us they are unaware of the range of effective contraception suitable for young people; that’s why the new leaflet will include a guide to each method and a link to find details of local NHS services.”

Talking openly about sex makes teenagers feel under less pressure to have sex and are therefore more willing to wait, the pamphlet says. But critics have argued that the pamphlet avoids discussions of morality, and have attacked the pamphlet for advising: “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.”

An article in the Sunday Times quoted Simon Calvert, deputy director of the Christian Institute, saying:

“The idea that the government is telling families not to pass on their values is outrageous. 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.”