Parents are looking for someone to talk to their kids about sex as they don’t trust schools to
More than 50 faith leaders and rights campaigners urged the Department of Education to support LGBT+ education. (Bertrand Langlois/AFP/Getty)
Some parents are going to great lengths to ensure their kids are educated about issues around sex and gender, because they say the school system in the UK is failing them.
One advert was placed on Childcare.co.uk, which asks for someone to talk to a couple’s children about various issues to do with sex and gender.
It says that the parents who posted it are not confident in the school system to do an adequate job of educating their kids.
The ad asks for someone to talk about “sex with both genders”, “other gender types, including transgender and non-binary”, “sexual protection – the pill, condoms, abstinence” and more.
Sex education
It also asks for someone to be able to talk to their 8-year-old and 7-year-old respectively about the differences in anatomy of different people and pregnancy.
The ad reads: “I’m not sure if this is the right place to ask for this kind of help, but here goes. My husband and I are looking to hire someone to give our 8-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son the ‘talk’.
“Like most parents, we were hoping we would have more time before this became a problem; ideally, I’d avoid it altogether! But we’re at the point now where they aren’t satisfied with the answer we’re giving them.
“I don’t trust the school to do a proper job teaching either of our children about the complexities of puberty, intimacy and consent which is why we’re looking for someone to handle this for us.
“All sessions will be at our home at a time when one, or both of us can be in the house. We will not be in the room with you but will be home so the children can come and find us if it’s getting too much for them.”
Going on, the ad says that the “ideal candidate” should be able to easily communicate with their kids about two people who are in love with each other, periods, sexual protection, STIs, for both their daughter and son.
Consent is another topic they want to be covered by the person they will hire, as well as “possible discussion of rape culture”.
These parents are willing to shell out quite a bit to ensure their kids are both adequately educated on these important issues.
They have offered £2,500 for six one-a-week sessions.
Commenting on the ad, the founder of Childcare.co.uk, Richard Conway, tells the indy100: “Having ‘the talk’ is a rite of passage for any parent and their children, but it can be a difficult conversation to have, even for the closest of families.
“These parents are clearly willing to pay handsomely to make sure the sex talk is handled in the best way possible.
“It can be difficult for any parent to admit they need help, but I’m sure these parents will be able to find someone in our community of 500,000 childcare professionals to help them. Especially as they’re willing to be flexible and appear very open to guidance. We wish them the best of luck in their search.”
Education on such issues is sometimes taught in schools in the UK in Sex and Relationships Education (SRE).
But despite calls for SRE to be made compulsory in all schools, including faith schools, and to be made inclusive of LGBT+ issues, those plans look like they won’t go ahead intact.
The Education Secretary is gutting plans for compulsory sex and relationship education in all schools, amid pressure from faith groups.
Damian Hinds became Secretary of State for Education earlier this year, taking the post from out minister Justine Greening – who had launched a review of government guidance on sex and relationship education (SRE).
Ms Greening had backed plans for compulsory, LGBT-inclusive SRE to be taught all schools – but pressed on the issue over the weekend, Mr Hinds said he would champion the right of parents to withdraw their kids from lessons they object to.
The issue has now been stalled for several years.
Former Education Secretary Nicky Morgan had backed reforms in 2016 – but progress was delayed by the Brexit vote and change of Prime Minister.
