At what age should schools introduce Sex Education classes to pupils [ENDS 8/08/2010]

[Apple]

I remember it starting at the end of year 6, preparing us all for the more serious sexual education in year 7 I'd presume. So I'd probably say it should start around the time when most of the pupils are around the age of 12/13, getting into more detail year by year as they get older.

[MrPinkPanther]

Year 5/6. People start puberty at different times and quite a lot of people will start around this age, they need to understand what is going on.

[ihatehash]

I think it should start in Year 7, but not necessarily about the anatomy of the penis/vagina but how to say no, or how to put on a condom. I was never taught either of these, but instead had about 25 10 year olds laughing the whole time and causing disruption. It ended up being a waste of time.

[Moh]

I didn't really learn anything at school. Year 5 was too young, nobody really paid attention. Then the next one was in year 9 or 10 which we already knew.

So year 7/8 would be the best I guess.

[Sharon]

I'd say Year 7. My brother is 7 and he's being taught the basics already. In Year 3 I'd already watched a VIDEO of naked men and women and their child.

With Year 7 they should cover the body and relationships. In Year 8 at our school we're already taught how to use a condom. It should get more advanced every year. But Year 11 everyone should know what it is like to be a parent; how dangerout STD's are; All parts of the body; How to use protection and so on.

[louder]

did mine in year 5, which made me 9.
there's nothing wrong with the way i've handled my sex life either.

i think there should be a lot more sex education in secondary schools.
but starting in year 5 is all good.

[HotelUser]

When you're around 12/13 (I can't go by years because we have a different education system in Canada). I also think they should always have separate lessons for males and females.

[louder]

When you're around 12/13 (I can't go by years because we have a different education system in Canada). I also think they should always have separate lessons for males and females.

12/13 is year 8.
that's pretty late though, seeing as i lost my virginity at 13.

and we did in our school.
there were joint lessons, boys lessons & girls lessons.

i think the system works fine.
sex education, or lack of hasn't caused pregnancy levels to rise.
all that ever did was teach us about erections, periods & we watched a woman give birth (on a video).
it raises awareness so you know you're not an absolute freak.

if we didn't have it, it would just mean we'd all be really worried when we bled from our vaginas.

[HotelUser]

12/13 is year 8.
that's pretty late though, seeing as i lost my virginity at 13.

and we did in our school.
there were joint lessons, boys lessons & girls lessons.

i think the system works fine.
sex education, or lack of hasn't caused pregnancy levels to rise.
all that ever did was teach us about erections, periods & we watched a woman give birth (on a video).
it raises awareness so you know you're not an absolute freak.

if we didn't have it, it would just mean we'd all be really worried when we bled from our vaginas.

Oh dear. Here we had two one hour sessions when we were 14 with the school nurse. Both were unisex and during one we watched real life footage of how STIs affect the body. A boy passed out

[Apple]

When you're around 12/13 (I can't go by years because we have a different education system in Canada). I also think they should always have separate lessons for males and females.

I agree with this. When they are together they spend most of the time feeling embarrassed and laughing rather than learning, when they are split up they are usually a tiny bit more comfortable with it but are still likely to laugh and feel a little embarrassed but thats natural.