At what age should children's sex education begin?

 

Talking about sexuality at an early age with children is not a bad idea in itself, says a sexologist specializing in sex education for children and adolescents, Amélie Sauvé.

As the Ford government has tabled its new sexuality education program, many are wondering the right time to start talking about sex education with children.

The sexologist believes that concepts such as consent and stereotypes need to be addressed quickly enough with children to enable them to be "able to take responsibility for their choice and make good choices."

In her view, there is simply a need to adapt the language. "It is certain that we will not talk about contraception and STBBIs and everything in the second year, on the other hand everything related to puberty yes, in the Ford program we talk about it in the sixth year, but many children at this stage will begin to see the manifestations of puberty without knowing what it is."
— Amélie Sauvé sexologist

Sexologist Amélie Sauvé explains that society's reluctance to educate children is linked to adults' perception of sexuality.

It proposes greater involvement of parents in the school approach to child sexuality education.