A chara, - For as long as I can remember parents and schools have been asking for a value driven programme in Relationships and Sexuality to be developed. Now, at last the main partners in our system, the parents, the teacher unions, the religious management and other school management groups, and, the Department are agreed on a programme which makes a brave start to tackle an area where for many of our children there was a huge gap. The present Minister for Education facilitated the coming together of all of the representative groups, and, they have developed the programme.
Some of the objections which I have heard in regards to the programme are difficult to understand. It is suggested that sexual activity among our young people will increase because they will have a greater understanding of their own sexuality, taking responsibility for their sexual behaviour in relationships, and, the meaningful respectful linkage between relationships and sexuality. We are told that teenage pregnancies, abortions, and, promiscuity will all increase when the programme is introduced.
The programme will not cause this increase, as it is happening already in our society. Our young people are bombarded through advertising, certain tabloids and magazines with some very irresponsible views on sexual activity, and, what should be acceptable. "Anything goes" would appear to be the approach from these quarters. Our children deserve our guidance as parents and the guidance of schools, except where parents legitimately decide not to avail of it as they have made other appropriate arrangements. We need to keep our young people informed and do our best to protect them from malign influences. We can together assist them to develop as normal sexual men and women who can have meaningful, responsible relationships. We owe them this at least.
Like many other teachers, I have been involved in the teaching of relationships and sexuality for many years, and, in collaboration with the parents we have benefitted our children. The programme will help us to build on what we are already doing. - Yours, etc.,
Lr. Glenageary Rd., Dun Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.