Medicine and morality
Sir: Mr Casper Brook, Director of the Family Planning Association reveals (Letters, December 8) in his criticism of Dr Linklater's article that he has failed to grasp what sex education is all about. He seems to equate it with the giving of contraceptive advice.
Both as a parent and as a probation officer I quickly learned that the mere giving of information does not noticeably contribute to the emotional development of children and young; persons.
Giving information about sexual activity and contraception is not likely to contribute much towards the resolving of the conflicts of early adolescence and easing the anxiety which adolescents feel about their developing sexuality since this often stems from the unconscious and has its origins in early infancy. The simplistic approach of Family Planning Association literature aimed at young people is unlikely to contribute much to the young person's emotioinal development and acceptance of adult sexual roles.
The only effective sex education is given through the loving care of parents or respected teachers in the crucial development phases and there is no adequate substitute for this in the dishing out of information in 'telephone chats' or teenage magazines likely to contribute to a more caring future generation of parents.
K. H. Kavanagh Chairman, Parents' Advisory Group, 5 Bryan Crescent, Bedford.
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