Sex education

Press, 6 May 1980, Page 24

Sex education

Sir, —Alan Wilkinson (May 3) should know that training children to be responsible involves setting and enforcing well-defined limits to their behaviour and allowing them only as much responsibility as they can handle. To allow them to get “into situations where sexual activity may result” gives them more responsibility than they can cope with as well as an innate burden of guilt. Did he check, I wonder, to see if the children he mentions also had the correct facts as well as their mythology. With their vivid imaginations children have no difficulty in holding two or more conflicting beliefs; they do not see the contradictions. In having their own hidden views are they not copying their elders as well as trying to appear grown-up and knowledgeable amongst their friends? Perhaps it is their elders who need the education. —Yours, etc., ERICA JORDAN. May 3, 1980. Sir, —Young people seek information about their sexual development which they cannot obtain at home. Sweden acknowledges their right to be adequately informed before they have to cope with sexual relationships. Everyone should read carefully Dr Viney’s diatribe challenging their right to know — and thus understand current Government policy. —Yours, etc., JOHN DOBSON. May 1, 1980.