In the latest tactic to obfuscate and create division just in time for the election, this month it’s teachers being pitted against parents over classes teaching heath, relationships and sex education.

The headlines have been awash with quotes from parents saying their children have been upset learning the scientific names for “private parts”, accompanying the rampant fearmongering from politicians whose interest in the state school system usually starts and ends with how much funding they can cut without the entire system collapsing, safe in the knowledge the private education of their children will remain unaffected.

In light of this debate, especially considering the Scottish Government are rebuilding the framework through which schools teach relationships, sexual health and parenthood (RSHP), I think it’s important to talk about why sex education is essential to the health, wellbeing and safety of all children.

At primary school my class was taught about our bodies, and our families. It was benign, but important information, to know that some people had a mum and dad, some only one parent, some no parents at all, some two mums or dads, some a blended household, a multigenerational one, or any other wonderful and valid configurations that can comprise a family.

As I got older and the information became relevant, the concepts of sex, pregnancy, and how to engage in safe, respectful intimacy were introduced. Naturally, the lesson was hideously awkward, but entirely essential. There was a box, where we could anonymously ask questions about anything we liked, which ended up gathering together the myriad conspiracy theories and urban legends teenagers are wont to share.

We learnt that no, having sex in the dark is not an effective way to prevent pregnancy, sperm don't sleep at night, fizzy drinks don't function as a spermicide so pouring them into a vagina after sex won't achieve anything, except........

© Herald Scotland