The sexual enlightenment of children in the modern cultural context—care or corruption?

Abstract

With evidence that one in three teenagers in Britain is sexually active before the age of sixteen, a quarter having unprotected sex, this paper explores the question of sex education in the AIDS context. Whilst the present educational system is flawed because of its information bias and limited focus, it is evident that there is, even amongst ‘informed’ adolescents, a gap between factual knowledge and actual sexual behaviour. Cross cultural data is utilised to highlight the potential to expand the scope of education in an integrative and holistic fashion which would motivate as well as educate adolescents. It is advocated that the education should begin early and involve parents if it is to be successful. It is suggested that the dissociation of the sex act from a general awareness of sexuality is a western phenomenon and such an educational approach would not only be a vital component of preventing spread of HIV infection but would achieve this through a fundamental shift in attitudes to sexual behaviour.