Sex expert says children should be taught about masturbation from the age of 11

“We continue to shame it and avoid the discussion”.

One sex expert is claiming that children as young as 11 years old should be learning about masturbation as part of sex education in schools. Nadia Bokody calls the current level of sex education “frighteningly inadequate” in comparison to the highly sexualised culture of today.

“Kids need to be learning about masturbation as soon as they hit puberty, as young as 11,” Nadia told the Daily Mail. “Teenagers are more comfortable having intercourse with another person than they are with exploring their own bodies alone, and this is deeply problematic.”

The editor of She Said went on to say that we need to acknowledge that children are having sex, mostly unprotected, and that masturbation could prevent that.

“Whether we like it or not, research shows kids are having sex, and much of it is unprotected and well before there is a clear understanding around how consent works. “Masturbation is one of the safest, healthiest activities a young person can do in the privacy of their own bedroom and yet we continue to shame it and avoid discussion of it when it has the power to potentially prevent cases of sexual trauma and STDs.”

Bokody also thinks children should be taught more about sexual pleasure, especially young girls.

“Is it any wonder then that young women go into the world thinking their pleasure is a non-issue during sex? “Girls should be taught to label all the parts of their vaginal anatomy from as young as age as possible."

Do you agree? Do you think these elements should be included in children's sex education?