One booklet my pharmacy will not distribute

The Christian Institute sats, 'The Government has told parents to discuss sex with their children without “trying to convince them” of what is right and wrong. The advice comes in a new booklet, called Talking to your Teenager about Sex and Relationships, which is to be made available at pharmacies nationwide.

It has prompted criticism from family campaigners who say it is “outrageous” for the Government to tell parents not to give children clear moral guidance on sexual relationships.

Although the Government says it is keen for parents to discuss sex with their children, it recently emerged that parents’ views were ignored during consultations on making sex education compulsory in primary and secondary schools.

The new booklet tells parents: “Under the NHS, contraception and condoms are free and there are lots of safe and effective methods that are suitable for young people - encourage your teenager to visit their local clinic or GP so they can make a choice that’s right for them.

“Why not offer to go with your daughter or encourage them to take a friend to support them?

“Or, if you have a teenage son, suggest he talks to his girlfriend about it and visits a clinic with her.”

It cautions: “Discussing your values with your teenagers will help them to form their own.

“Remember though, that trying to convince them of what’s right and wrong may discourage them from being open.”

Children’s minister Beverley Hughes said the Government “doesn’t bring up children” but “does have a role to play in supporting parents and giving them access to advice and information”.

But Simon Calvert of the Christian Institute said: “The idea that the Government is telling families not to pass on their values is outrageous.

“Preserving children’s innocence is a worthy goal. We would like to see more of that kind of language rather than this amoral approach where parents are encouraged to present their children with a smorgasbord of sexual activities and leave them to make up their own minds.”

Author and researcher Patricia Morgan, who is completing a book on teenage pregnancy, said: “All the evidence from the United States is that if parents say they disapprove of underage sex, the teenagers are less likely to do it.

“If parents talk about underage sex and do not disapprove of it, the children go on to do it. It is pretty basic stuff,” she added.

“Parents are not allowed to know if their child is being given contraception or getting an abortion. But they are being told to teach their children about sex in a manner dictated by the State.”'

This is not nanny state but fascism.