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Dorries: Girls need to be taught to ‘just say no’ to sex

Dorries: Girls need to be taught to ‘just say no’ to sex

Nadine Dorries introduced a ten-minute rule bill to introduce the teaching of abstinence-based sex education in schools:

“I believe that the answer to ending our constant struggle with the incredibly high rate of teenage sexual activity and underage pregnancies lies in teaching our girls and boys about the option of abstinence-the ability to just say no as part of their compulsory sex education at school.

“We have to re-examine thoroughly the content of sex education that is provided in schools, and consider whether what is currently offered is in the best interests of our children and society as a whole.

“Children learn about puberty and intercourse at the age of seven, and about pregnancy and contraception from the age of 11. Teaching a child of seven to apply a condom to a banana, without telling them that they do not have an obligation to go and do it, is almost like saying, ‘Now go and try this for yourself.’

“At no stage of the curriculum does the teaching cover anything about relationships and the option to say no. Girls are taught to have safe sex, but not how to say no to a boyfriend who persists in wanting a sexual relationship. They are given no guidance on that whatsoever.”