The ABC article entitled “Power and purity” about the Four Corner program rightly pointed out the inappropriate content and approaches to fostering sexual ethics in a school.

However, parents, schools and faith traditions that properly encourage children without shame and pressure to postpone sexual relations until a committed relationship, reduce the number of sexual partners and discuss problematic issues around pornography should not be painted with the same brush as the school in the 4 Corners report.

Without love and intimacy, sex can become empty, self-serving, ungratifying, or even abusive.

What the article fails to mention is that there is good evidence that programs that encourage young people to adopt these sexual ethics and practices promote healthy choices and relationships; advice that parents would give their own children.

The article missed the opportunity to discuss the benefits of best practice teaching of sexual ethics to young people. It is in this important period in young people’s sexual and psychosocial development that they receive different information about sex from parents, schools, peers and popular culture.

This information can shape their attitudes and behaviours for good or for ill and affect the risks they take and how they threat others. Understanding their own sexuality and making informed decisions about their behaviours is essential for healthy sexual development into adulthood including the medical information that support sexual health.

Risky behaviours include sexual activity with multiple sexual partners, without the use of contraceptives, and while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Early and risky sexual behaviours can establish unhealthy sexual patterns.

The social consequences of adolescent risky sexual behaviours can be long-lasting and costly to adolescents, their families, and society at large. Research suggests that school-based sex education is an important and effective component in reducing the sexual risk-taking behaviour of adolescents.

Research shows that watching pornography is a real concern for children and should be for parents and society as well. Viewing pornography can affect young people’s sexual attitudes, expectations and practices.

In Australia, 90 per cent of boys and 60 per cent of girls under the age of 18 have seen online porn. What is concerning about viewing pornography is the wrong message of control, pleasure and physical aggression it can give to young people about sexuality.

Postponing sexual intercourse, reducing the number of sexual partners and discussing issues around pornography are conversations that need to occur at home and at school using best practice and in a respectful and caring way.