Loose Women panellist Denise Welch has offered up her views on Welsh Government plans to teach sex education to children as young as five. Questioning the new curriculum, which will also see themes of religion, sex and gender embedded in day-to-day teaching, Denise said she thought "five is too young to be chatting about sex education."
Appearing on the ITV show, the actress and panellist put forward her thoughts, saying: "Why can't we just encourage children to know that they can be anything you want to be?" She added that "the thing about what we are allowing and what we are changing has become very politicised". She spoke about how she was someone that considered herself to be 'from the left' but that how in the last few years, "things have changed."
But, while some people have supported her opinion, not everyone agrees with Denise's point of view. Here's what you said...
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Responding to the post, which featured Denise's quote that five is "too young to be chatting about sex education", Facebook user Mads Llyr said: "I'm intrigued to know what you all find so concerning about it. Is it that children will know the correct names of their body parts? Is it that children will understand that they have rights? Is it that children will understand how to say no if someone does something to them that they don't like?
"Is it that children will be taught who to speak to if they're being bullied or feel unsafe? Is it that children will be taught that being different is OK and to treat everyone with compassion? That's what this curriculum will be teaching the youngest pupils in Wales. I'm surprised anyone is taking issue with any of that." You can get more politics, TV news and other story updates by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Other readers agreed, with Maya Bee responding: "I think its important for them to know such crucial fundamentals of being a human! And so they know from a young age that their body is their own, they can choose what to do with it, and they understand things like consent and respect of their own and other people's bodies."
Kathryn Burke was also in support of the Welsh Government's plans, writing: "What is wrong with children knowing the anatomy of the body? This way they will know when things are wrong. Are you trying to protect your children or your prudish mentality? That’s the question we should be asking here." A mum has explained why she is teaching her kids aged two and three about sex - read the full story here.
Julie White wrote that teaching children the correct names for body parts was 'useful' and 'common sense'. She said: "I've brought up 3 children and have 6 grandchildren aged from 18 down to five years. I've always found that when children ask questions they're old enough to know the answer. I taught the correct names for body parts from a young age though we had baby names for them too. Also, I always taught them that if anyone made them feel uncomfortable or asked them to do something they didn't want to do they could tell me even if it was a friend or member of the family.
"When children start shutting the loo door they're old enough to have their privacy respected and also they could ask questions freely and the questions were answered honestly in language they could understand. Knowing the correct names for body parts is useful, Drs don't know all the family pet names and if a child is ill knowing where a pain is can be useful whether a headache, tummy ache or pain peeing or pooping. It's just common sense."
But other readers were not in agreement with the new curriculum, with some arguing that sex education should be the responsibility of a child's parents. Responding to Mads Llyr's comment, Anita Powell wrote: "Maybe it's to do with the fact that parents have no choice in the matter. They cannot ask that THEIR children be exempt. I'm a firm believer in children being taught by parents who know when the time is right for their child."
Other readers also said that parents should get a say in their child's sex education. Louise Salvatore wrote: "I think that parents should get a say on this if it’s true whether or not they want their five-year-olds to know about such things. I remember the days when you didn’t even start school until the age of six, they are being thrown into the adult world way too soon. Only time will tell the results of it. Let them enjoy their innocence for goodness sake." Facebook user Margaret Bale was in agreement with Denise's comments, writing: "I agree with her, why take their innocent childhood away from them. They grow up too fast as it is."
Many readers encouraged people to look at the curriculum before forming an opinion. Lloyd Clarke wrote: "I think people need to read the curriculum for themselves rather than jumping on the outrage bus!" Mike Hall added: "How many ppl [sic] have read the policy and actually understood it? Very little it would seem. My 6yrold [sic] knows about all this stuff already via myself and other kids so I've had to explain things in a more biological sense which is pretty much what the policy does. Fuss about nothing as usual."
Some readers said that the correct time to have conversations regarding sex education was whenever the child in question was ready. Reflecting on her experience as a parent, Elizabeth Stanley wrote: "My daughter was pre-school when she asked me where babies come from. I was pregnant and she wanted to know. I found a book in the early learning centre and read it to her.... She learned the truth, I learned not to be embarrassed. It's the right time to have the conversation when they're ready."
