Parents and sex education in Western Australia
The Western Australian Department of Health recognises that the foundations for sexually healthy people start in childhood with the guidance and support of well informed, comfortable and confident parents. Increasing levels of sexual activity and commensurate increasing rates of sexually transmitted infections in young people emphasize the imperative for effective sexual health and relationships education.
Previously information and resources in sexual health have been available for students, young people, teachers and health professionals in WA but there were no equivalent resources for parents nor any qualitative research about parent views and needs regarding children’s sexual health education.
WA Health commissioned La Trobe University to undertake research and consult parents in order to develop a resource to assist them in educating their children about relationships and sexual health. The views of parents regarding the role of schools in sexual health education was also to be examined.
The Parents and Sex Education project aims to provide support for parents in their role as primary sex educator. The aims of this project were:
- To carry out research, including with a sample of WA parents, to inform the development of a sexual health resource for parents, and conduct of a review of the literature about the needs and views of parents in sex education.
- To report on the role and needs of parents as sexual health educators of their children.
- To report to the WA government on parent views about the roles of schools and teachers in the provision of sex education.
Reports
