AIMS: Teenagers have very particular needs and their healthcare must be adapted to these needs. Despite all the modern means of communication and education, problems related to sex and sexuality have an effect on their well-being. Sex education has improved in the last 40 years, but what is today's situation? METHODOLOGY: In the Maine-et-Loire region of France, approximately 100 15- to 16-year-olds responded to a questionnaire, giving their views on the nature and quality of the sexual and emotional education they received. RESULTS: It appears that it falls very short of the legal requirements and that it is often inappropriate to the needs of young people. To improve sexual prevention, it is necessary to start early to provide sexual and emotional education and to increase the opportunities and the diversity of speakers presenting themes of importance to young people. The speaker should preferably be young and use lively means of communication and role-plays to normalize sex education. CONCLUSION: The most important aspects are respecting this young population as well as opening and maintaining communication with them, which will help them make better choices toward a better future. Promoting sex education is part of a global approach to healthy lifestyles and requires a national strategy, cooperation between the interested parties, and an adequate budget. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
AIMS: Teenagers have very particular needs and their healthcare must be adapted to these needs. Despite all the modern means of communication and education, problems related to sex and sexuality have an effect on their well-being. Sex education has improved in the last 40 years, but what is today's situation? METHODOLOGY: In the Maine-et-Loire region of France, approximately 100 15- to 16-year-olds responded to a questionnaire, giving their views on the nature and quality of the sexual and emotional education they received. RESULTS: It appears that it falls very short of the legal requirements and that it is often inappropriate to the needs of young people. To improve sexual prevention, it is necessary to start early to provide sexual and emotional education and to increase the opportunities and the diversity of speakers presenting themes of importance to young people. The speaker should preferably be young and use lively means of communication and role-plays to normalize sex education. CONCLUSION: The most important aspects are respecting this young population as well as opening and maintaining communication with them, which will help them make better choices toward a better future. Promoting sex education is part of a global approach to healthy lifestyles and requires a national strategy, cooperation between the interested parties, and an adequate budget. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.