School pupils should be taught that “not all pornography is bad”, according to a group of sex education campaigners.
The Sex Education Forum (SEF) has been criticised for publishing a resource for teachers which suggests they bear in mind that pornography is “hugely diverse”.
The e-magazine, entitled “The Pornography Issue” also recommends a youth forum website that tells teenagers “porn can be great” and aims to tackle a series of “myths” on the subject.
Fire
Norman Wells, from the Family Education Trust, said that to give lessons on pornography is “to play with fire”.
He said: “The intention appears to be to steer children and young people away from a belief in moral absolutes and to encourage them to think that there are no rights and wrongs when it comes to sexual expression.”
He added: “To take a no-holds barred approach to sex education has the potential to break down pupils’ natural sense of reserve and to encourage casual attitudes towards sex.”
Controversial
The SEF released the guidance intending to help schools broach the “potentially difficult and controversial subject” of pornography.
The publication features an interview with a teacher from Sheffield who said her 15 to 16-year-old pupils “need the chance to consider the pros and cons, and there should be balanced teaching about it, not just negatives”.
Lucy Emmerson, coordinator of the Sex Education Forum, said: “Teachers have told us they are nervous about mentioning pornography, yet given the ease with which children are able to access explicit sexual content on the internet, it is vital that teachers can respond to this reality appropriately.”
The Government recently announced that sex education would remain a non-compulsory subject, following a consultation with responses from teachers, parents and local authorities.