The latest in sex ed comes via your friendly neighbourhood government... UK parents are a little stunned by what their taxpaying pounds are paying for: a controversial new website that demystifies sex for teens.
According to an article in the UK Sun, the new site aims to nip teen pregnancy numbers, but not everyone is impressed with the crude content that seeks to answer questions like: “Is it ok to wank five times a day?” and includes a sexual glossary for terms like “spit roast."
The site, which was recently rolled out across high schools in Coventry and Warwickshire, also includes a multiple choice “Are you ready?" quiz to help kids "assess whether they are prepared to lose their virginity." There is also valuable information about sexually transmitted diseases with a feature to search out the nearest STD clinics.
At Respect Yourself, teens can study graphic photos of genitalia as well as read "explicit sex tips," including how to losing virginity and performing oral and anal sex. Perhaps not surprisingly, not everyone is tickled by the candour of the project, which was partly funding by the EU and Warwickshire County Council and is available for free as an iPhone app.
“Parents throughout the region will be appalled that health professionals have supported the development of a resource that condones sexual experimentation by young people and uses crude and sometimes even foul language," said Norman Wells, spokesman for the Family Education Trust. “This is a grossly irresponsible website and a complete misuse of taxpayers’ hard-earned cash.
Developers have staunchly defended the site, saying it is well researched and aimed to answer real questions and concerns of today's teens.
“We have completed the young people’s wish list," said Respect Yourself campaign manager, Amy Danahay. "They asked for the sextionary, pleasure zones and the opportunity to ask questions and have them answered honestly. The site is primarily for young people aged 13 upwards ... It is important that young people get something they need and want, and that onlookers understand the reality of what young people are talking about.
Do you think too much sex information is dangerous, or should this site be heralded as a helpful tool for teens?
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