Importance of Relationships and Sex Education for Young People

This presentation highlights the need for a new approach to relationships and sex education for young people. It discusses the concerns regarding the sexual health and well-being of young people and the need to adjust our ways. The presentation also covers the new approach to RSHPE and how it can be improved in the classroom, working in partnership with parents, and accessing local services.

Relationships and sex education

Outline of Presentation
• Why is there a need for a new approach?
• What is the new approach?
• Getting feedback from pupils, parents & teachers.
• What we are asking of you.

Why is there a need for a new approach?...
Two main reasons
• Concerns regarding the sexual health and well-being of young people.
• There is a need for us to adjust our ways.

a) The wider social culture.
b) Sexual behaviour of young people.
c) Sexual health indicators on the rise.
d) Sexual well-being.
Concerns about Young People’s
Sexual Health & Well-being

b) Sexual Behaviour of Young
People
15 year olds
(Healthy Respect 2005/08)
15 year olds
(HBSC 2010)
Sexual
Intercourse
27% Boys
28% Girls
27% Boys
35% Girls

b) Sexual Behaviour of Young People
By age 15 years:
• 50% had experience of heavy petting or sexual touching
• 40% had experience of oral sex
• 31% had experience of sexual intercourse.

b) Sexual Behaviour of Young People
Average age at 1st event:-
• Heavy petting 13.8 years
• Oral Sex 14.3 years
• Sexual Intercourse 14.4 years
• 51% of all those under 16 years reported that they had some form of
sexual experience

b) Sexual Behaviour of Young People
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
• Majority of diagnosed STIs occur in under 25’s
• Over 70% of all Chlamydia diagnoses are under 25
• Estimated 1 in 10 under 25’s may have Chlamydia
• Under 25’s account for 2/3’s of genital warts cases in
women and 1/2 of those in men.

c) Sexual Health Indicators
(i) Teenage Pregnancy Rates - European
• UK rate of 55.7 per 1000 of 15 to 19 year olds
• UK is very different from our European neighbours:
- Netherlands at 4 births per 1000
- Italy at 7 per 1000
- France at 11 per 1000
- Germany at 10 per 1000

c) Sexual Health Indicators
(ii) Teenage Pregnancy Local
Rate per
1000
West
Dunbartonshire
NHSGG&C
13 – 15
15 - 19
4.1
(2008/10)
77
(2008/10)
4.6
(2008/10)
60
(2008/10)

d) Sexual Wellbeing
Childline Report (2007)
• Sexual health second highest reason for calls.
 Lack of information.
 Relationships with adults.
 Relationships with friends.
 Sexual bullying.
 Sexual abuse.
 Unhappy with appearance.
 Sexual identity.

The need for change
NHS Health Scotland Review 2008, Consultations with West
Dunbartonshire Parents/Carers (2009), Teaching Staff (2010)
• Inconsistent approaches to content and delivery.
• Some teachers don’t feel confident to deliver.
• Need to update what was taught to reflect relationships/emotions as well
as sexual health.
• Key part of the Health Promoting School model.
• Importance of SHRE for some children.

The new approach to Relationships,
Sexual Health & Parenthood
Education (RSHPE)
• 3 main strands:
 Improving what is delivered in the classroom.
 Working in partnership with parents.
 Wider supports and access to local services.
• Tested out in 2007-8. Very positive independent evaluation.

Conclusion
In this respective essay, it has been concluded that sex education is really
important for the students while they are doing their studies and it is very
important to let them get all the information regarding the issue and there are
some of the concept that are still not been raised by the people as they are
scared that what if the society is going to judge that it is very serious issue
and they think that the students are going to have proper instruction and they
will have proper knowledge about the things that they are doing.