Last week, Rishi Sunak’s government issued new draft guidance on sex education. It included a ban on teaching sex education before children are nine years old and a ban on teaching “gender ideology”.
Jo Morgan is the author of Empowering Relationships and Sex Education: a Practical Guide for Secondary School Teachers and the founder of the consultancy Engendering Change.
She tells Helen Pidd why she believes children should be getting more comprehensive sex education, not less. She reflects on the questions children ask her about sex, and why limited education on sex, health and relationships can leave children vulnerable to abuse and misinformation. She argues that the age cut-offs could leave children without an understanding of personal boundaries and having their periods starting before they have been taught what they are.
What should the next UK government prioritise when it comes to sex education?
Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA
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