Pupils put parenting before sex education

In the wide-ranging study carried out by researchers at Hull University, the responsibilities of parenthood topped the list of must-know topics for 13 to 16-year-olds, ahead of safe sex, sexual intercourse, contraception and sexually transmitted infections.

It also found that a high percentage of both girls and boys supported "moral" ideas, including a belief that first sexual experiences should be special and that sex should only take place in long-term serious relationships.

The survey of pupils at nine schools was carried out by doctors Julie Jomeen and Clare Whitfield on behalf of East Riding Council and NHS East Riding.

Its aim was to evaluate the impact of the East Riding Teenage Pregnancy Strategy and other sex and relationship education (SRE) measures.

Dr Jomeen said: "There is quite clearly sexual activity in school- age children. Knowledge obtained from sex and relationship education and other sources might not stop that activity but it does seem that those children with a greater insight are more likely to use safe sex practices, such as seeking advice about contraception, and to engage more with health services.

"We worked with a diverse demographic. Some schools were in affluent areas, while others were much more deprived.

"Although socio-economic factors do have some relevance, the survey showed they can be ameliorated by good SRE teaching.

"This is important because, despite a national strategy and approach to reducing teenage pregnancy, it hasn't reduced to any significant degree and STI rates continue to rise, particularly among young people."

Despite the success of SRE in shifting some teenage attitudes towards sex, some stereotypes still persist, with boys showing markedly less interest in teenage pregnancy than girls.