Arming Toddlers with Adult Tools: The Perils of Early Sexuality Education

As the chair of the Black Tories, I feel it's time to bring our attention to an issue that has been simmering for a while, and recently hit boiling point. The World Health Organisation’s recent guidelines on child sexuality and gender education have stirred up quite the debate, and I think it's time we dove in, got our hands dirty, and grappled with this challenging topic.

The recent guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on child sexuality education have caused a veritable storm in the global arena. Advocating that children under four should 'ask questions about sexuality' and 'explore gender identities,' the WHO has certainly raised eyebrows and ruffled feathers across the world.

According to a Daily Mail article from 14th May 2023, the WHO's official guidance even supports providing information to children from zero to four (0 - 4) about 'enjoyment and pleasure when touching one's own body, early childhood masturbation.' Furthermore, the report suggests that children aged between four and six (4 - 6) years should 'talk about sexual matters' and 'consolidate their gender identity.'

Let me start by painting a picture for you: imagine handing a loaded gun to a three-year-old. Sounds absurd, doesn't it? It's a tool that can cause considerable damage, and it's not something a child can handle or comprehend. However, this analogy isn't far off when it comes to the WHO's guidelines on teaching young children about sexuality.

In essence, what we're doing is putting a loaded gun - in this case, complex sexual information - into the hands of children who aren't ready to handle it.

This article by Chris Brooke, published in the Daily Mail, details the widespread backlash against this guidance. Laura Anne Jones, the Tory shadow minister for education in Wales, expressed her indignation, stating that the WHO needs to 'rescind the advice immediately.' She also urged the Welsh government to 'distance themselves' from the 'frankly disturbing' WHO guidance. She added, 'We must stop this pushing of harmful gender ideology into sex education in Wales and the UK, with immediate effect.'

We cannot afford to overlook the potential fallout. In our quest for inclusivity and awareness, we risk robbing our children of their innocence, pushing them to grapple with topics that are beyond their emotional, mental, and physical maturity. The repercussions of such an approach can be far-reaching.

Early and inappropriate exposure to sexual education can sow seeds of confusion, anxiety, and even lead to premature sexual activity. The emotional and mental toll this can take on children is significant. Imagine children grappling with issues of sexual consent, body autonomy, and the potential consequences of sex, such as pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, or the emotional toll of a relationship at such a tender age.

Moreover, the burden of gender ideology and its social contagion can result in a profound impact on children's mental health and familial relationships.

The pressure to conform to certain gender identities, or the confusion caused by the introduction of such complex ideas at an early age, can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or identity confusion.

The Safe Schools Alliance, a campaign group, is also concerned about this guidance, which they see as the sexualisation of very young children. The Alliance recently warned, 'We find it extremely concerning that the UN and WHO are promoting an approach that is experimental, unscientific, and appears to be aligned to the work of unethical individuals and organisations, including those promoting the acceptance of paedophilia.'

When we talk about sex outside the appropriate boundaries, we're talking about children who may find themselves dealing with unintended pregnancies, the dilemma of abortion, or the emotional scars of an unwanted sexual encounter. These experiences can alter their life's trajectory, impacting their mental health, education, and future relationships.

As the Black Tories, we stand for responsible education, preserving the innocence of childhood, and empowering our children with knowledge at the right time and in the right manner. We cannot support an approach that thrusts children into a world of adult concerns and responsibilities prematurely.

We believe in a balanced, age-appropriate approach to sex education. Sexuality is an integral part of human life, and it's important that our children understand it. But the timing and manner in which this information is introduced should respect the child's age and mental, emotional, and physical maturity.

In conclusion, while inclusivity and awareness are important goals, they must be pursued in a way that does not compromise the mental and emotional wellbeing of our children. We need to protect their innocence while preparing them for adulthood in a responsible and sensitive manner. It's a delicate balancing act, but I believe, with the right approach, we can educate our children without robbing them of their childhood and innocence.

Davida Ademuyiwa,

Chair of Black Tories