In the fall of 2004, the province of Nova Scotia's Health Department began distributing a sex manual to all students from grade 7 to 12.  Many were concerned about its content and questioned its agenda.  It has been said that the manual simply reflects the current health curriculum in the province.  It has also been said that some teachers in the province would not teach some of the provincial curriculum for various reasons and it was thought that the province pushed this manual to ensure everyone would receive this information.  UPDATE: The age of consent in Canada has been raised to 16 (from 14).  We have heard that a "new" sex manual has been produced, but the old one is still on the NS Health website.  When we receive the updated information, this page will be adjusted accordingly.

Read the Sex? Manual itself (PDF) HERE (see sidebar for free viewing software)

     The work that went into the manual and the honest, open approach towards sexuality is commendable. It is good to be explaining sexual abuse with our kids. It is good to see an emphasis on abstinence, encouraging kids not to have sex. This is a very useful resource in many ways. However, we would not recommend distributing it for several reasons.  Besides the morality it preaches in promoting alternative sexual lifestyles, the approach as a whole falls short in at least two key areas in which we hope there will be changes made in the future.

     First of all, there is cause for concern in regard to the section on sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The manual lists STIs in a table along with answers to questions such as “What does it do?” and “How do you get it?” The table says that STIs such as gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis are contracted by “unprotected sex” leaving the child to think that “protected sex” (using a condom) enables them not to get infected. The tragedy is that condoms do not protect anyone from STI's.  They only reduce the risk for a few STI's.  The manual should say that you "get it" by sexual and/or physical contact, not only by "unprotected sex". It would be helpful if the actual effectiveness rates for condoms in reducing STIs was also included in the manual. For example, using condoms 100% of the time 100% correctly only reduces risk for syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia 29-50% in adults. Youth statistics are even lower. Maybe a child thinking that condoms "protect" him/her is what contributing to the epidemic proportions of STIs among Canadian youth today. As it says in the “Sex?” manual on page 43, “In Canada, young people, ages 15-24, have the highest rate of STIs. The rate of STIs is also increasing faster in this age group than in any other.”  We suggest that promoting condoms and "safe" sex is obviously not working.  A new approach is needed if we are going to help our children and future generations.

     Secondly, the manual highlights what is a glaring call for change in our province. The manual explains to kids that the legal age for sex in Nova Scotia is 12-14 years of age (when the 12 and 13 yr. olds’ partner is not over two years older). Why is the legal age for drinking and smoking much higher? Both drinking and smoking are risky behaviours with perhaps even less

danger and life-changing impact than sexual activity. We are sending a mixed message to kids that says, “Sex is dangerous, so use a condom (which may not help)” but then say, “Smoking is dangerous so don’t smoke.” We do not offer school kids extra filters for their cigarettes. We tell them “Smoking is not for you.” We do not educate children in how much they should drink to avoid getting drunk. We tell them, “Drinking is not for you.” Why do we seem so afraid to say to our children, “Sex is not for you”? What parent of a 14 year old wouldn’t blink an eye at their child’s arrival home from school to announce they’ll be up in their room having sex with friends? Are we simply trying to avoid guilt associated with questions like, "Mommy has sex with her boyfriend, why can't I?"

     We realize that some strong proponents of condom education say it protects kids. However, the facts state just the opposite. Studies in Canada show that increased availability of birth control actually led to higher sexual involvement along with corresponding negative results such as increased teen pregnancy. It has also been shown that when such easy access to birth control was reduced, the associated problems like teen pregnancy decline rapidly. (source)

     We see this manual as a good attempt at being honest about sex, but it does a disservice to kids in not explaining the risks properly. We also need to do much more in our homes and communities than simple honest talk or distributing condoms in order to help reduce the disease and tragedy in the lives of our youth and families. We all need to pull together and even educate parents of 5-6 year olds how to relate to their kids about sex – before they reach Jr. High. We need to see youth as assets of the community and encourage them with our involvement in their lives. There is a lot of work to do and it can be done if we work together. It feels good to become involved in part of the solution. - Bill

     "I was somewhat shocked in looking through your linked material for 'A Healthy Sexual Resource'  that, while you include so many "alternate sexual lifestyles," you fail to include

such alternate lifestyles as bestiality. Are you implying that those attracted to other species are exercising deviant sexual practices? On what basis could you make such a differentiation? You also fail to offer understanding and openness to those who experience the joy of sexuality through such practices as pedophilia, necrophilia, and so forth. If you, indeed, do make a differentiation between the acceptability of "transgendered" individuals and those who are sexually attracted to livestock, I would like to know on what basis you make that differentiation. Unless the government is prepared to say, "It's all okay, as long as it feels good and doesn't hurt anyone," even in regards to these issues which are still hotly debated in sociological and psychological circles, then I suggest you refrain from attempting to teach my children what they should consider right and wrong in regards to their sexuality. That's my job, not yours." - Pete

     The manual authors suggest 12 years old may be an appropriate age for children to begin consensual sexual relations: ". . . a person who is 12 or 13 can consent to sexual activity but only with a person who is less than 2 years older than he or she is."

     The authors also provide information on how to obtain contraceptives, as well as the "necessity" for a child to be carrying them at all times: "In many communities there are places where you can get inexpensive or free condoms and oral dams. For example: Planned Parenthood . . . Be prepared! Carry condoms and oral dams with you. If you don't need them, a friend might."

     The manual also suggests abortion and abortifacient morning-after pills as acceptable options in case of unexpected pregnancy: "If your partner gets pregnant she has to make some difficult decisions-Adoption? Raising the baby? Abortion?" They also recommend that children can access this without parental consent: "You do not need your parents' permission to get ECP." (source)

  On the topic of "There is More than One Kind of Sexuality" (page 10) describing "what happens when sexuality develops" 300 words are spent in "alternative" sexuality while 12 words (excluded on a sidebar) are used to describe heterosexuality.  Nowhere does it say it is OK to be heterosexual, only that it is OK to be "lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered."