Most Russians want sex education classes introduced in schools.
The All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM) has published the results of a recent sociological survey. His results showed that most Russian moms and dads fully support the idea of introducing sex education in schools.
21% of adults surveyed with school children fully supported the idea, another 39% of parents said that they are inclined to support such an initiative. Only 12% of the surveyed moms and dads opposed categorically. 15% of parents have not yet decided for themselves on such a sensitive issue.
63% of moms and dads expressed confidence that such lessons should be introduced already in the middle classes, 24% of parents believe that a new subject should be introduced only for high school students.
Previously, the topic of sex education was raised repeatedly at the level of the Ministry of Education of Russia. Speaking about plans for the future, officials did not rule out the possibility of the return of this "subject" to modern Russian schools.
Speaking of return, the experts implied USSR practice. In the Soviet Union, the system of sex education was clear and harmonious, built in five stages. It began from the moment when the child turned 3 years old, affecting adolescence, 12-16 years old, adolescence from 16 years to 21 years. The teaching of the subject of sexual education was introduced from the 8th grade (at that time not 11, but 10 years of study).
It was hard to say whether the Soviet classes were effective, since no one dealt with this issue statistically and analytically.
Today, the system of sex education exists in most countries of the world, but in Russia for the time being it is not given due importance.
The Ministry of Education, speaking about the possibility of restoring such lessons, emphasized that the classes would be of a medical and educational nature. They will be conducted exclusively by medical professionals and teachers.
The VTsIOM poll showed that parents would like to see as teachers exactly doctors (69% of parents voted for this), 23% of moms and dads expressed a desire to see a school psychologist on the spot and only 4% trust the mission of sex education of their children to ordinary school teachers.
When asked what children should be taught in such lessons, half of the parents stated that they definitely need to be told about sexually transmitted diseases and genital infections. 46% of mothers and fathers suggest telling about contraception methods to avoid unwanted pregnancy. On the impact and consequences of too early sex life 43% of adults consider it necessary to talk with children in the classroom, and 36% of parents suggest telling about the ethical aspect (the effect of premarital sexual relations on the creation of a family).
1600 people from all regions of Russia took part in the survey.
In October of this year, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Government Tatyana Golikova advocated the introduction of such lessons.