When and how parents should talk to their kids about sex – don’t leave it to the internet
- Sex educators encourage parents to talk to children about sex before they are exposed to pornography that is easily accessible via electronic devices
- Other tips include making conversations regular, listening to children’s views, and having both parents take part in talks
Earlier this year, the UK updated its sex-education curriculum for schools to include topics such as healthy relationships, same-sex relationships and online safety. The lessons, to be implemented in 2020, are to prepare students for modern society.
Currently, coverage of the topic in Hong Kong secondary schools varies widely as the city does not have a mandated sex-education curriculum. Sex-ed lessons could be on sex, birth control or sexually transmitted diseases, but it depends on the school and the individual teachers.
In primary schools, however, lessons on human-development topics such as puberty and menstruation are mandated, according to Chau Wai-wai, an education officer from the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong (FPAHK).
Chau, who has visited schools in Hong Kong to provide sex education for more than a decade, says the situation has got “slightly better”. For example, at schools where she gives talks on safe-sex practices, she often uses a real condom to demonstrate.
“In the past, schools preferred we don’t mention this part in sexuality education, or use a cartoon instead,” she says.
