Sex Can Be… Fun?!?! *GASP*

Health officials in the UK are trying a new approach to sex education. Instead of using scare tactics and ignoring the facts, they are going to do the unthinkable and tell teens that *looks around cautiously and whispers* sex can be… fun.

Via the Associated Press:

Health officials are trying to change the tone of sex education by urging teachers to emphasize that sexual relations can be healthy and pleasurable instead of simply explaining the mechanics of sex and warning about diseases.

The new pamphlet, called “Pleasure,” has sparked some opposition from those who believe it encourages promiscuity among teens in a country that already has high rates of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

[...]

Steve Slack, who helped produce the leaflet as Director of the Center for HIV & Sexual Health in Sheffield, said one goal is to help young people learn to resist peer pressure and delay having sex until they are emotionally ready.

“Far from promoting teenage sex, it is designed to encourage young people to delay losing their virginity until they are sure they will enjoy the experience,” he said.

Slack said some of the ideas in the booklet came from the Netherlands, which is well known in Europe for its liberal attitude toward sexual behavior. But the pamphlet is condemned by some educators who believe it will lead to more casual sex among teens.

“Some of it is good sense, but I think it’s wrong is to suggest that 16-year-olds should wantonly enter into having sexual intercourse for pleasure,” said Anthony Seldon, headmaster of Wellington College, a school for teens. “I think this is medically wrong and emotionally wrong and will increase teenage pregnancy and impact negatively on the formation of a long-term loving relationship.”

In my opinion, being honest is the key. You can’t cut out some of the scary statistics out of the picture, but I think ultimately if you lie to them, once they learn for themselves how wonderful sex can be, they may cast aside all prior sex ed. information because, hey, if they were lied to once, who’s to say they weren’t lied to about the rest?

What do YOU think of their new approach on tackling teen pregnancy and STD prevention?