UNESCO Sex-Ed Program To Teach Masturbation, Aphrodisiacs To Kids

August 27, 2009 4:27 a.m. EST

New York, NY (AHN) - The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is recommending the voluntary teaching of sexuality education, including masturbation and aphrodisiacs, starting at age five to prevent HIV and sexually transmitted diseases.

The recommendation is contained in the UNESCO report called "International Guidelines for Sexuality Education" released in June at the 19th World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) Congress held in Göteborg, Sweden.

Under the UNESCO guidelines, children are divided into age groups and each group will have corresponding sexuality education topics. Kids age 5 to 8 will be taught what masturbation is while those age 9 to 12 will learn the positive and negative effects of aphrodisiacs.

At age 12 to 15, children will learn abortion and its safety. Those age 15 to 18 will be taught on advocating the right to and access to safe abortion.

Dr. Doug Kirby, an adolescent sexuality expert, and Nanette Ecker, the former director of international education and training at the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States authored the guidelines.

The Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum called the guidelines absurd. However, Mark Richmond, director of UNESCO's Division for the Coordination of U.N. Priorities in Education, defended the guidelines saying it will help kids develop understanding of sexual behavior.