Madam, - As a practising doctor with a special interest in reproductive health care I am alarmed at the recent withdrawal of the sexual health education booklets for 12- to 16-year-olds in the North-Eastern Health Board area. I believe the booklets represented a genuine attempt by the board to provide contraceptive information and education to a vulnerable and fledgling section of our community. They seek to empower 12- to 16-year-olds to develop comfort and confidence with their own sexual health development.
When I see a tearful, pregnant girl aged 14, 15 or 16 in the surgery, I can't help but feel that our sexual health education has let many people down. This is a far more dramatic and life-changing event than a disappointing points results in the Leaving Certificate.
These booklets would not on their own help to sort out high teenage pregnancy and STD rates, but would be a move in the right direction. They are a very welcome stimulus to discussion.
The labelling of the booklets as pornographic by some anti-choice groups says more about their discomfort with their own sexuality than anything else. It is certainly true that young people should delay their sexual activity until they are very well prepared and comfortable with it. This is still very good advice. However, I see very many cases of the examples above and regrettably many are from the lower socio-economic groups in society.
When the Creator made the genitalia and the brain he gave us enough blood supply to run one at a time. Forewarned is forearmed.
I would urge the health board to have these booklets distributed to the intended audience to empower, educate and give the confidence to people in this age group as it is their right to have a balanced sexual health education. - Yours, etc.,
Dr OLIVER LYNN, Fair Street, Drogheda, Co Louth.