Britain Evaluates Sex Education Following Purity Ring Case
The debate over how to make sex education effective has been reignited following last week's high court battle between a schoolgirl and her head teacher over the right to wear a purity ring symbolising her pledged virginity until marriage.
by Anne Thomas
Posted: Tuesday, July 3, 2007, 8:21 (BST)
The debate over how to make sex education effective has been reignited following last week's high court battle between a schoolgirl and her head teacher over the right to wear a purity ring symbolising her pledged virginity until marriage.
According to studies, Britain has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Europe. Data released last week show that abortion rates are on the rise, particularly among teenagers.
Policymakers, parents, youth leaders and doctors are demanding action, with the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases reaching epidemic levels and far exceeding any other country in western Europe.
"There is definitely a sense now that this is desperate and people are asking what are we going to do about it," said Chris Richards, a consultant paediatrician and committed Christian who runs Lovewise, a group promoting the Christian understanding of marriage and sexual abstinence.
The alarming rise in STDs and unplanned pregnancies among unmarried teenage men and women in Britain has led to the launch of a number of US-style abstinence projects over the past three years such as Lovewise, the Romance Academy, and the Silver Ring Thing, which invites teenagers to make a pledge of chastity until they wed.
Such groups have been given a publicity boost in recent weeks by the case of Lydia Playfoot, a 16-year-old who has taken her school to court over its decision to ban her from wearing her silver ring symbolising her chastity pledge.
Despite US studies showing that the groups have little impact, abstinence campaigners say a "no sex" alternative to traditional sex education is vital for Britain.
Andy Robinson, UK director of the Silver Ring Thing, said that although only a few teenagers have signed up to programmes so far – probably less than a thousand in total – he is certain abstinence, not safe sex, is the way to help young people lead happier adult lives.
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The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Friday, July 13, 2007, 12:15 (BST)
Sex ed is vital. Even if a person pledges to remain a virgin until marrige there is still the risk that they may be raped. If a young girl hasn't been taught about safe sex then they may not get tested for STDs or use emergancy contraception. I think in the end people need to be given the facts.
If, as a parent you think your child shouldn't have sex before marrige then teach them that as well.
H, York
Added: Thursday, July 12, 2007, 13:02 (BST)
Im 14 and not religious. No sex = no anything. Young people under 16 who don't understand about safe sex should be given chemical castration. Sex education should be taught from a neutral point of view.
Hawk lance zeno, Norfolk UK
Added: Thursday, July 5, 2007, 8:29 (BST)
Hi... As a mother I can not tell you how wonderful it was to watch my 24 year old son marry his beautiful bride. Both virgins. At 14 they attended a christian school that taught sex education in a manner that demonstrated how GOOD is sex... too good in fact to risk spoiling it. They didn't realise at the time they made a personal committment for themselves that they would one day marry that gauky looking kid three seats over in class. Many of their friends also made the same decision and I believe that most have married as virgins. I can see with these young people that having information as to why it is BEST to say no to sex until marriage has allowed them to concentrate on achieving positive goals.
The reality is ...... it really is BETTER to wait until your married before having sex. This is simply the TRUTH..... When are we going to tell young people the truth... How sad that someone who is supposed to be a person helping young people would try to take away from a young woman her committment to stay pure.. By trying to take away the ring you are saying what a dumb thing it is to wear such a thing.
Well done to the young woman that she would begin her committment to stay pure by being brave enough to take a stand that this is a valid GOOD thing to do. My two daughters are 15 & 16 & they & all their friends have also made a committment to stay pure until they marry & stay committed to helping each other achieve their goal. Their brother & his wife have shown them that its the Best. I'm very grateful to the educators who talked openly with my son about sex when he was 14 .
As for me I am a very happy parent.
Vickie Green , Coffs Hbr Australia
Added: Wednesday, July 4, 2007, 10:43 (BST)
I think sex education in schools not helping young boys and girls to adapt a responsible sexual life it rathrer promotes sxual promiscuity. The teenage girl who has pledged verginity until marriage and publicly profess it has taken her a great courage, she has risked being stimatized and lough at by her school mates. I therefore think the headteacher of her school sould have been proud of having her because this youg lady has raised a very important subject which many politicians and educators failed or are scared to raise which can contribute to problem of teenage pregnancy and the increasing number of abortion among young girls. Britain has enormous chiristian values which can contribute to resolving many of our social problem so we sould not shay away.
Federico Vuni, Leeds
Added: Wednesday, July 4, 2007, 7:50 (BST)
Regardless of beliefs, teenagers still need comprehensive sex education because at some point they will all likely have sex. Just because teenagers get good sex ed (like say "Sexual Health for Life") doesn't mean they have to run out and have sex with anyone. And if they don't get access to comprehensive sex ed, they are in danger when they do decide to have sex, with or without a pledge, in or out of marriage!
SexEd, Manchester
