Disclaimer: The views expressed in this blog are my own and may not represent those of The Scout Association or Glamorgan West Scouts.
Today (5th April 2011) The Scout Association launched a new sexual health programme in partnership with Durex and Brook. These new resources were an update on earlier guidelines for giving sexual health advise launched a few years ago. Thankfully the media attention on todays launch as been majorly positive, but there have been one or two naysayers.
These take the form of concerned “parents” in one national newspaper (though it is not stated whether they are parents of Scouts or how old their children are), accusations of sexualising young people, and questions about whether Scouting should be doing this – and if such advice would be better sought from parents or schools.
Let’s clarify a few things first – these resources are aimed at 14-18 year olds, many of whom may very well be considering being or are sexually active. And they are educational in nature, helping young people make the right decisions and giving advice on how to stay safe. So this is hardly sexualizing young people, it is helping them make the right decisions.
Does Scouting have the right to do this? As a movement we are dedicated to safeguarding the physical and mental well being of our members, so launching these resources is the right and responsible things to do. Teenage pregnancy and SDI’s are a big problem in the UK, so if we can help reduce the problem it is the right thing to do.
But aren’t there schools? Parents? Or (as one person commenting on a news story suggested) the internet? Well for starters the internet is an open forum, so there is no guarantee on the quality or responsibility of the advice given, so suggesting that could cause more harm than good.
Next, parents. Let’s be realistic! How many 14, 15 or even 16 year olds are going to walk into their living room and say “Mum, I want to have sex with so and so. Can you give me advice on where I can get some condoms?”? Not many (if any at all). The same could be said about teachers. Schools are very formal environments (especially in compulsory education, and sometimes even post 16) so it could be very difficult for a young person to ask advice from a teacher in a suit who they have to call sir or miss. Scouting is much more informal, so it might be easier for a young person to feel they can seek advice without embarrassment.
Finally, there will no doubt be some criticism that these resources are aimed at 14 and 15 year olds – who are below the age of consent in the UK. This has no doubt led to some of the claims of sexualising young people and that they are being encouraged to have sex. What nonsense! There are young people under 16 who are sexually active and there always has been and always will be (don’t start that “not in my day” nonsense – it was just more kept hushed up, it did happen). Is it not better than instead of sticking our fingers in our ears, shouting “la la la la la” and pretending it’s not happening we acknowledge that there are 14 and 15 year olds who are or are considering being sexually active and give them the best possible advice on how to make the right decision and how to keep themselves safe and healthy.
This is not sexualisation – it’s responsibility.