London, Dec 30: A leading public health doctor has suggested that sex education lessons should be imparted to schoolchildren as young as five, in an effort to fight the rising levels of teenage pregnancy and sexual diseases.
Dr Charles Saunders, chairman of the British Medical Association's Scottish consultants' committee, cautioned that the safe-sex messages were provided so late by schools, that many teenagers were already exposing themselves to avoidable risk.
Saunders also called for secondary schools to hand out condoms and other forms of contraception to children from the age of 13.
Scotland's sexual health record is one of the worst in the western world, with cases of teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases on a constant rise.
"It needs to start at quite an early age, because if you leave it until they are 12 it is too late because some are already experimenting. It probably needs to be started off when children start school. You need to start laying the groundwork to help them and empower them to make decisions and turn things down," the Scotsman quoted Saunders, as saying.
"At five it needs to be a language that they understand and taught in the same way as any other subject. It should start off with relatively simple concepts in the same way as English and science start off with the basics. It could start off with how babies are made and progress from there.
"You need to start somewhere and it makes an awful lot of sense to start long before it's needed, because if you leave it too long you are wasting your time," he added.
He further said that sex education should not be limited to anatomical drawings, but should also include the pros and cons of having sex.
"Basically sex education needs to be a whole lot better. It's not just anatomical drawings but what the risks are from infections and what the pros and cons are of having sex or waiting," he said.
"It's not a simple task to get young people empowered enough to use condoms, but it's the key. You want to ensure people are not having sex when they don't want to have it, and that when they do want to have it they are not putting themselves at risk," he added.
Saunders said that all schools should also provide contraception to pupils.
"Particularly in rural areas, schools may well be the only way that pupils can access contraception. It may well be that as time goes on it would make sense to have emergency contraception in schools," he said.
Labels: Sex. Childrens.
London, Dec 30: A leading public health doctor has suggested that sex education lessons should be imparted to schoolchildren as young as five, in an effort to fight the rising levels of teenage pregnancy and ...
Labels: Sex. Childrens.
Efforts to cut the number of teenage pregnancies are to be stepped up after an official assessment found the Government was set to miss a target to halve the rate by 2010.
The Department of Health's annual report concluded that "progress needs to accelerate", with the cut in the rate of conceiving under-18s so far reduced by only 11.4% since 1999.
Although that is the lowest for more than two decades, the total number of pregnancies is up and the UK now has the highest rate in Western Europe.
Critics said the admission of "slippage" in meeting the target was evidence that the Government's strategy was failing.
Norman Wells, of the Family Education Trust charity, said ministers had overseen the "systematic removal of every restraint that used to act as a disincentive to under-age sex".
"The problems associated with teenage pregnancy will never be solved so long as the Government persists with its reliance on yet more contraception and sex education," he told the Sunday Telegraph.
The Government came under fire from some campaigners earlier this month when it announced plans to make the Pill available without direct authorisation of a doctor. An interview with a qualified pharmacist would be sufficient to obtain the oral contraceptive.
A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families, which is jointly responsible for the target, said: "Our Teenage Pregnancy Strategy is working - teenage pregnancy rates are at their lowest for 20 years. We made a commitment to reduce the teenage conception rates and to improve the quality of life for all young people, and we are already delivering on that.
"However, we make no apology for setting stretching targets and will be redoubling our efforts to continue to reduce the rate of teenage pregnancy by 2010."
Feel like the absence of a bachelor's degree on your resume is forcing you to settle for a second-rate job? With today's myriad opportunities to earn certificates and associate degrees, you can change your career, your salary, and your life in just a short amount of time.
Check out these five high-paying careers -- no bachelor's degree required!
1. Dental Hygienist
Employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through 2014, ranking among the Bureau of Labor Statistics' list of fastest-growing occupations.
To practice in a dental office, hygienists must earn an associate degree or certificate from a school accredited by the American Dental Association Commission of Dental Accreditation. A base of biology, chemistry, and math courses are advised, and program coursework will include clinical, laboratory, and classroom instruction.
Median annual earnings: $58,350.
2. Fashion Designer
In this creative field, an inherent artistic ability and eye for detail, color, balance, and proportion are necessary. Ingenuity is key, as are sewing, pattern-making, and sketching abilities.
Designers usually hold at least a two-year associate degree in fashion design or fine arts. They must be knowledgeable about textiles, ornamentation, fabrics, and fashion trends, and exhibit communication and presentation skills, problem-solving abilities, and the willingness to work occasional long hours and travel to trade and fashion shows.
Median annual earnings: $55,840.
3. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Also known as ultrasonographers, diagnostic medical sonographers can specialize in obstetrics and gynecology, abdominal or breast sonography, or neurosonography.
A strong background in math and science is recommended, as associate degree coursework will include anatomy, physics, and physiology. A good bedside manner enables the sonographer to explain complex procedures to patients and reassure those who fear the health matters the testing may reveal.
Median annual earnings: $52,490.
4. Forensic Science Technician
You've seen the TV shows -- these professionals collect and analyze physical evidence and document laboratory methods and findings. Computer skills and attention to detail are crucial as collection and processing of materials must be spot-on to safeguard evidence.
Forensic science technicians should develop a strong base in math and science as preparation for their associate degree, typically earned in applied science or science-related technology. Coursework will include laboratory work and hands-on learning. Once in the field, technicians can choose to specialize in a certain type of analysis or examination.
Median annual earnings: $44,010.
5. Paralegal
Lawyers assume ultimate responsibility for legal work, but they often delegate tasks to paralegals, also called legal assistants. Paralegals help prepare for trials, hearings, and meetings; investigate facts; identify appropriate laws and decisions; and, after analyzing and organizing information, prepare and present reports of their findings.
Most paralegals have an associate degree in paralegal studies, however, intensive certification programs are also available and can often be completed in just a few months.
Median annual earnings: $39,130.
All salaries listed are median annual earnings based on 2004 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Labels: Idea, Interesting, odd
