Oral sex lessons to cut rates of teenage pregnancy [UK]

The Observer (UK) ^ | May 9, 2004 | Mark Townsend

[aculeus]

Encouraging schoolchildren to experiment with oral sex could prove the most effective way of curbing teenage pregnancy rates, a government study has found. Pupils under 16 who were taught to consider other forms of 'intimacy' such as oral sex were significantly less likely to engage in full intercourse, it was revealed.

Britain's teenage pregnancy rate is the highest in Europe. In 2002 there were 39,286 teen pregnancies recorded. The government has spent more than £60 million to tackle the problem but so far failed to halt the rise.

A sex education course developed by Exeter University trains teachers to talk to teenagers about 'stopping points' before full sex.

Now an unpublished government-backed report reveals that a trial of the course has been a success. Schoolchildren, particularly girls, who received such training developed a 'more mature' response to sex.

The study by the National Foundation for Educational Research found youngsters were 'less likely to be sexually active' than peers who received traditional forms of sex education, dispelling the fears of family campaigners who believe such methods actually arouse the sexual interest of teenagers.

Now the government will recommend the scheme, called A Pause, to schools throughout England and Wales following the success of the trial in 104 schools where sexual intercourse among 16-year-olds fell by up to 20 per cent, according to Dr John Tripp of the Department of Child Health at the University of Exeter, who helped to design the course.

Teachers who sign up to the course are primed to deal with queries from pupils on all kinds of sexual experience. Those behind the course stress the scheme does not suggest teenagers experiment with oral sex. Instead they say A Pause promotes the message that other forms of physical intimacy are safer than full intercourse.

'It teaches people assertiveness skills and that they should be only as intimate as they feel comfortable with,' said Tripp.

A Department for Education and Skills spokesman said the report's verdict would be made available to all schools. 'All teachers respect peer-reviewed material, and this will help influence their decision,' he said.

Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004

[Texas Eagle]

Heavens, no. We wouldn't want the little darlings to think that abstaining from sex is a good way to avoid pregnancy.

And besides, how is a professor supposed to get his rocks off with a young, lithe, supple, doe-eyed maiden if he tells her that?

[Texas Eagle]

Didn't this used to be called "third base"?

Is that what third base is? Dang it. To think my entire high school career was wasted thinking washing her car was third base.

[Anti-Bush Hater]

Bill Clinton moved to Britain?

[tbird5]

The world has gone MAD!!!!!!!!!!!

[shiva]

Who's the teacher? Bill or Joyce Elders?

[ILS21R]

[Askel5]

Let's just cut to the chase and give them the time-honored arguments of every homosexual seduction on the planet .... where Self-Gratification is concerned there's None Better than one's own.

Masturbation and Homosexuality are where it's at.

Though I'm certain pederasts of all persuasions are delighted to know kids these days will probably get it right first time.

[litany_of_lies]

The government has spent more than £60 million to tackle the problem but so far failed to halt the rise.

"Failed to halt the rise" indeed.

[dandi]

If I were the kids, I wouldn't swallow that line, er...I mean I wouldn't bite, um...oh, never mind.

[hoosierham]

Will the Brits swallow this ?

[Texas Eagle]

Yup.

[WorkingClassFilth]

These people are f*ckin' idiots.

Tear off the roof of your house (morality) and then teach your children how to put on a rain coat (ethics) because the rain comes in (depravity).

AM I MISSING SOMETHING?

[little jeremiah]

At first I thought this was the Onion. Un-freakin-believable.

It's only done-stick-a-fork-in-it, it's burned to a crisp and needs to be tossed in the compost.

[navyblue]

Is there a lab section or only lecture?

[Keith]

I don't know if you are in trouble, but it was the laugh of the day...

[Vigilanteman]

Well, you were close. Washing her car, getting your driveshaft washed. Minor difference.

[TexasTransplant]

Well if they are going to do it anyway. I could always change occupations, I could be their Practice Dummy.

JUST KIDDING

[kddid]

Maybe this teen pregnancy thing isn’t so bad for Britain. They could use a population boom to offset the immigration.

[Ruth A.]

This is a sick response to teen pregnancies. The only thing worse will be finding out that Clinton receives grant money for suggesting this "solution."

[Centurion2000]

A sex education course developed by Exeter University trains teachers to talk to teenagers about 'stopping points' before full sex.

And just how exactly are they supposed to check a woman's grade during the practical lab of this course ?

Check how many cigarettes the guy smokes ?