Yesterday, the Scout Association launched the My Body, My Choice programme which is about sexual health.
This does not mean that Beavers will be coming home with handfuls of condoms! This programme is aimed at the Explorer Scouts, and it’s worth pointing out that it’s not a compulsory part of the programme, but is there to be used at the Leaders discretion.
The depressing thing is that there is a need for the Scout Association to have such a programme in the first place. Obviously, Explorers are at the age when they becoming interested in sex and potentially sexually active, but it is not a good thing to find out that –
Health Protection Agency figures show that the UK has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections in Europe, with under-25s the most likely group to contract an STI.
Not good. Hopefully, the information contained in this programme will help these Explorers / young adults make informed choices and not end up with STIs or pregnant. I suppose it’s just a shame that it will only reach a small proportion of 14 – 18 year olds in the UK.