Dear Editor,

I think it is time for adults in the Jamaican society to take responsibility for the mixed messages that are being sent to our children about sex and human sexuality.

The mixed message is: “Students, you should not be having sex. However, because you will be having sex, here is a condom; protect yourselves”.

Every opportunity that we adults get, we parade sex in front of our children through songs, advertisements, etc. Why should sex, which should be for consenting adults, be forever in the faces of our children? It is time to stop this! We need to allow our children to grow up and be taught about sex and human sexuality in a timely and appropriate manner.

There is the notion that school is a place for learning, so that is where everything should be taught. This is a mistake. School is a place where we learn how to learn. We are given learning tools that we will need in the school of life. Everything cannot be taught in school; parents should take responsibility to teach their children about sex and human sexuality. The parents who do not know how to do this should be taught by those who do know. There should be no debate about making schools condom distribution centres.

The President of the Jamaica Teachers Association Mr Clayton Hall is right: No condoms should be distributed in schools.

School is not a place where anyone should be having sex. Do people have sex at school? Yes, some people do, but this should never be encouraged. Having sex at school is deviant behaviour and should be treated as such. There is a time and place for everything. School is not the place for sex and this is definitely not an activity to be accommodated on the timetable.

The clear, unequivocal message should be: “Students, sex is not for children, and school is definitely not a place to have sex.” All the lessons on sex and human sexuality should make that message clear.

What about those who disobey? The school and the parents should deal with the matter as each case warrants.

The next generation will not call us blessed for our failure to give proper guidance to our children and young people about sex and human sexuality. They will blame us — as they should– for the mixed messages and watered-down standards.

Winnie Anderson-Brown

winab@cwjamaica.com