This topic intends to teach children when and how to make decisions about having sex.

The learning objectives for 5-12-year-olds are harmless as they do not make any direct links between decision-making and sexual behaviour.

owever, if the focus is to protect children from being sexually exploited, there should be more emphasis on how to decline advances instead of teaching them when and how to say yes to sex (see Topic 4.2)

12-15-year-old teenagers must be taught that poverty and gender inequality influence decision-making about sexual behaviour. 

Clearly, CSE recognises how sex outside of marriage is easily exploited.

They must have the “skill” to assess and manage emotions that influence sexual decision-making. 

This is a good skill if teenagers are taught appropriate understandings of marriage and sexual activity. 

However, CSE does not seem to be interested in promoting sexual prudence and sex only within marriage. This could work against the welfare of youths as they instead become “sex-minded” as they are reminded on how to say yes instead.

15-18-year-old teenagers must have the skill to express empathy for people affected by their sexual decision-making.

Understandably, some teenagers would choose to have sex and then regret their actions. Therefore, teaching empathy is appropriate. However, since CSE affirms sex outside of marriage, empathy taught here might not accommodate disapproval of sexual lifestyles.

Teenagers must also have the skill to make responsible decisions about sexual behaviour. 

This is a good skill if teenagers are taught to always say no to sex until marriage. Otherwise, teenagers will be taught to contemplate the possibility of saying yes to sex. Knowing that CSE affirms sex outside of marriage, teenagers will be taught to contemplate the possibility of saying yes to sex.