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Wednesday, June 17, 1998 Published at 13:00 GMT 14:00 UK


Talking Point


Do teenagers need more sex education?

One in ten of of British teenagers have a sexually transmitted disease, according to a new report from the Labour-leaning Fabian Society. It adds that half of all Britons with HIV are under 25.

Teenagers need more information about sex - that's the report's message.

It says schools and parents should "get real" to teenage sex. And it wants them to be more open with children about the risks.

But are the authors of the report right? Would more information reduce sexual illness in the young? Or is knowing too much the cause - not the cure - of teenagers' problems?

An estimated 90% of British teenagers are having sex.

Many people say that if they didn't know how, they would be less likely to try.

Others say that we are already too open about sex - just watch television or read a magazine for proof of that.

But Britain has one of the worst records for sex education. It also has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the developed world.

And the report says lack of sex information brings despair for many gay teenagers - who may attempt suicide as a result.

What do you think?

Do teenagers need more sex education?

Some comment so far:

Teenagers can never be warned enough about the dangers of sexually transmitted disease...
Sally Cairn, UK

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, particularly knowledge about sex...
Matthew Bradley, US

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