Is this article anything other than an extended advertisement for the author's book? The survey was apparently of 300 'teens' not that their ages could be verified. I wonder if they all went to the same high school. The author seems not to be a psychologist and elsewhere mentions that she was involved with the teen soapy 'Heartbreak High' which included a story about a relationship between a female teacher and a (surprise, surprise) male student. Who needs the internet for titillation when they can watch the author's own work?

Incidentally at

http://www.teenspeak.com.au/

Ms Sauers encourages gullible teens to participate "Because the book based on the survey won't focus on boring statistics, but instead, your most intimate thoughts and emotions. The purpose of this survey is to give you a voice."

Good idea. Best not to have those pesky stats muddle an opinion although they come in handy if you want to make a point like "These days, according to the survey, over 53 per cent of 12-year-old girls and 70 per cent of 12-year-old boys have seen hardcore pornography." Ah yes, 'seen' as opposed to 'watch'.

I think that if I'd participated by offering my 'most intimate thoughts' and seen them turned into numbers I would feel that I'd been had.

Then there's nothing like a few assumptions to leaven the non stats: "Men are often Viagra-enhanced, able to go for hours, and women have been breast-implanted".

I think she means the women have had implants placed inside their breasts, and I must get some Viagra; I thought that porn was made just like other movies, in several takes but clearly I need to read more pop-psychology to stay informed.

It might be good to get some input from parents who have successfully guided their teenagers into reponsible relationships. Why do we need to listen to the many experts who have failed miserably themselves?

What is customary in Holland in regard to sex education would help in Australia too:

http://www.unesco.org/courier/2000_07/uk/apprend2.htm

Why don't we follow this example, which significantly lessens the level of unwanted pregnancies and abortions? Because in Australia Christian extremists are allowed to set many of our priorities.

i think this column (with references and statistics) from george monbiot sums this whole issue up perfectly:

"Abstinence teaching is a disaster for teenagers"
http://www.monbiot.com/archives/2004/05/11/waging-war-with-the-virgin-soldiers/

the evidence is irrefutable.
if you educate older children/young teenagers about sex, not only are they more likely to have their first sexual experience later, they are also less likely to fall pregnant or catch an STI - the countries where abstinence programs dominate over sex education (catholic latin america, the US etc) also have higher abortion rates.

What an excellent article written by, Joan Sauers. There is far too much fear and horror when it comes to explaining sex and the body, mostly created by dogmatic churches who wish to control and manipulate society.

My children are given honest answers when they are asked. If they aren't ready for the answer, they would not ask. Honest answers are important, especially after a child walks in on their parents while having sex.

We teach our kids what they need to know. They know what they body parts are called and it teaches them self esteem where their body is concerned. Knowledge is powerful and with the correct guidance, makes it harder for a paedophile to trick them into sick favours.

Having had the benefit of growing up in the Dutch education system, sex has never been an angst inducing topic in my household. I have 3 children, from 18 to 12, 2 boys and 1 girl. Both my husband and I have always been frank and open.

Any parent who speaks frankly with their children would have many occasions where they would have been horrified at what seems to be acceptable amongst young people. Very interesting and revealing conversations (for both parents and teenagers) can ensue in response to an incident.

So often with "sex" the mechanics (the how, pregnancy and diseases) are easily talked about, but not the emotional and psychological aspect, both the wonderful and the (emotionally) painful.

I am very proud of my teenage sons and daughter at how they see themselves and others of the opposite sex. Not only sexually, but also in the wider context as participants in society. That is what it is all about, respect for self AND, especially also AND, others.