I think you have a point, though I am not sure how widespread this self-mutilation actually is. Your policy prescription is mistaken as the state (which embodies coercion and force as its very essence ) is an institution least qualified to educate children about their sexuality – yes, even less qualified than parents!

I think we can assume that genital self-mutilation is very rare, given that if you do a search for it on PubMed, you’ll find reports of single cases, which suggests that it’s pretty unusual since doctors feel that every case warrants a writing-up. Most of the people who do it are pretty seriously disturbed – speed freaks, schizophrenics, one guy with a rare brain disease. This is not “self-harm” in the conventional troubled-teenager sense. This is what a few people do when they’re crazy.

In terms of PHSE lessons, I don’t remember mine very well, but I’m fairly sure they involved photos. They certainly involved a discussion of penis size along with plenty of reassurance for people worried about their endowment… I’m not sure what more you could ask for from sex-ed.

Also it’s worth bearing in mind that an obsession with penis size is nothing new and nothing specific to our culture. In many parts of the world there are periodic outbreaks of panic among men worried that their bits are shrinking :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penis_panic

What a load of bollocks.

“During these ideal lessons there would be open discussion of gender roles, physical sex, sexuality, feminism and gender egalitarianism.”

You should get in touch with John Bercow. He’d love to hear all about your disgusting Marxist plans for children. (I’ve actually got his number if you’re interested) Maybe you’re advising him already, It wouldn’t surprise me.

Because of course Marx was well known for his views on the proper content of PHSE lessons. Can’t you think of a better insult than “Marxist”?

The problem with Laurie’s suggestion is that (at least at my school) it’s pretty much what already happens. Certainly compared to 20 years ago sex-ed in this country is most enlightened.

“Can’t you think of a better insult than “Marxist”?”

True. Gramscian would be more accurate:)

“Because of course Marx was well known for his views on the proper content of PHSE lessons. Can’t you think of a better insult than “Marxist”?”

It’s true. One week we were discussing tactics for avoiding muggers and the next we were considering commodity fetishism with reference to Das Kapital.

Ben

Most of this made me wince, but this made me laugh:

“So where is the equivalent efforts to tear down the damaging fictions that young men internalise about their gender and physical sex?”

Surely the difference between socialised masculine and feminine gender roles is a reflection on how male genitalia is percieved as external while female genitalia is percieved as internal, when the truth is that because this is only mainly so and as a result socialised gender roles fail to correspond accurately with the individual.

Perhaps Laurie would like to advocate for the naturist movement?

‘The problem with Laurie’s suggestion is that (at least at my school) it’s pretty much what already happens. Certainly compared to 20 years ago sex-ed in this country is most enlightened.’

Woobegone – I’d really like to see your school curriculum. It’s great that some people are doing it. The problem is that it’s very much a question of what teacher you get – we’re doing much better than we were, undoubtedly, but we’re still falling far behind the rest of Europe – and that’s a fairly good predictor for, ooh, high rates of teenage pregnancy and STIs…..

also:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2008/aug/26/sexeducation.primaryschools

“We’re doing much better than we were, undoubtedly, but we’re still falling far behind the rest of Europe – and that’s a fairly good predictor for, ooh, high rates of teenage pregnancy and STIs…..”

What you left-wingers don’t understand is that it isn’t so much a failure of British sex education as a failure of modern British society and culture. Adopting european style sex-ed programmes won’t make make the slightest differece to our rates of teenaged pregnancy and STIs. You will see this once Bercow’s satanic plans are implemented. Only a number of right-wingers (of which I am a one) understand the subtleties of human existence. Everybody else must catch up.

“a failure of modern British society and culture…”

Not very patriotic are you? Call yourself right wing? To France with you…

‘You will see this once Bercow’s satanic plans are implemented. Only a number of right-wingers (of which I am a one) understand the subtleties of human existence. Everybody else must catch up.’

Roger, are you for real?

Of course Roger is real. It’s just that his real name is, in fact, Melanie.

MDS approves of this article most whole heartedly. Freedom from the confines of feared inadequacies for all humanity!

There is nothing you can do if somebody want to fell in the pit.