U.N. Agency: Teach Five Year-olds Masturbation

A report from the United Nations Economic, Social and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommends children worldwide begin sex education beginning at age five under the moniker “reproductive health care.”
UPDATE 3/21/12: U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Defends Obama’s Decision to Restore UNESCO Funding

-- From "UNESCO: Sexuality Education is a critical part of HIV prevention" posted at UNAIDS - Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 7/31/09

In many parts of the world, young people are receiving inadequate sexuality education, making them vulnerable to HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unintended pregnancy, and sexual exploitation and abuse according to UNESCO. To address this challenge, they have commissioned the preparation of International Guidelines on Sexuality Education, in partnership with UNFPA and other agencies.

The International Guidelines were written by a leading researcher and a leading practitioner, with extensive inputs from international agencies, ministries of education and civil society organizations. They provide an “evidence-informed approach to effective sex, relationships and HIV/STI education” for children and young people.

The main goal of sexuality education is to help young people at primary and secondary school levels to acquire knowledge, skills and values to make informed choices about their sexual lives.

The guidelines recommend teaching that is “age-appropriate, culturally relevant and scientifically accurate”, and delivered within a setting where young people feel free to explore their attitudes and practices.

The International Guidelines are aimed primarily at education and health sector decision-makers, in particular ministries of education and health, and education professionals such as curriculum developers, programme implementers and teachers [including] an outline of the “basic minimum package” of topics and learning objectives for a comprehensive sexuality education programme from age 5 to 18+ years . . .

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From "U.N. Agency Calls for Teaching Children 5-to-8 Years of Age about Masturbation" by Christopher Neefus, CNSNews.com 8/25/09

. . . the UNESCO report [includes reference] to a 2008 report from the International Planned Parenthood Federation that argued governments “are obligated to guarantee sexual rights,” and that “sexuality education is an integral component to human rights.”

The guidelines are designed, according to the report, to be “age-appropriate” and break down the suggested curriculum into four age groups: 5- to 8-year-olds, 9- to 12-year-olds, 12- to 15-year-olds and 15- to 18-year-olds.

For those aged 5 to 8, some key concepts to be discussed are:

• “Touching and rubbing one’s genitals is called masturbation” and that “girls and boys have private body parts that can feel pleasurable when touched by oneself.”
• That “people receive messages about sex, gender, and sexuality from their cultures and religions.”
• That “all people regardless of their health status, religion, origin, race or sexual status can raise a child and give it the love it deserves.”
• “Gender inequality,” “examples of gender stereotypes,” and “gender-based violence.”
• Description of fertilization, conception, pregnancy, and delivery.

For those aged 9 to 12, key concepts include:

• “specific steps involved in obtaining and using condoms and contraception, including emergency contraception” and the “signs and symptoms of pregnancy.”
• That “legal abortion performed under sterile conditions by medically trained personnel is safe.”
• Discussing the ideas of “homophobia, transphobia and abuse of power.”
• Discussing that “every person has the right to decide whether to become a parent, including disable people and people living with HIV” as well as “ART (anti-retroviral therapy) and side-effects on puberty.”
• That “both men and women can give and receive sexual pleasure” and the “definition and function of orgasm.”
• Discussing “examples of harmful traditional practices,” listed examples of which include female genital cutting, honour killings, bride killings, and polygamy.”

For those aged 12 to 15, the report recommends discussing “access to safe abortion and post-abortion care” and the “use and misuse of emergency contraception.”

UNESCO also suggests those as young as 12 should be told, “the size and shape of the penis, vulva or breasts vary and do not affect reproduction or the ability to be a good sexual partner.”

By age 15, adolescents should be exposed “advocacy to promote the right to and access to safe abortion,” according to the guidelines.

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