According to a new report, STIs are on the rise in under-age teenagers – 15,000 cases were diagnosed in the past three years alone, which shows a doubled figure in the last 10 years. It’s thought that the rise is attributed to the fact that many boys don’t get tested, which is leading to far more cases than have been noted in the past. Thousands of under-16s were infected with diseases such as chlamydia, genital herpes and gonorrhoea in the last three years, with more than 200 of these aged under 12. Many campaigners have blamed the government for not making sex education in schools compulsory, which they feel would help reduce the number of children having unsafe sex.
Currently, it is up to the individual school as to what is taught with regards to sexual health and education – teachers, it is claimed, understand the needs of the children, but parents and campaigners think this could be too big of a gamble. Not only do children need information about STIs and safe sex practices but they also need relationship and emotional guidance and counselling. Without this guidance, children will continue to make poor choices when it comes to sex which could lead to further cases of STIs and unplanned pregnancies.
It is important that you speak to your children early on in their teen years about sex and relationships, so that they feel comfortable speaking to you about any concerns or issues they have. By creating an open communication with them, they’ll feel easier about discussing these issues. Furthermore, make sure that they are aware of the help and services around them to ensure safe and healthy sexual relationships – this could include regular check-ups at the local sexual health clinic or being aware of places where they can receive free contraception and condoms to reduce the risk of STIs being transmitted. The more children know about sex, the better equipped they’ll be for engaging in safer relationships.
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