Editorial: Effects and effectiveness in sex and relationships education

Much has been written in both the scientific and popular press about the potential effects of sex and relationships education, as well as its effectiveness. On the one hand, there are those that claim that education about sex, sexuality and relationships encourages precocious sexual activity, and may encourage experimentation before or beyond marriage. On the other hand, there are those who see the provision of sex and relationships education as central to the development of mature and responsible attitudes towards interpersonal relations and social well-being. Nowhere have such debates been more polarised than in relation to the education of young people in and out of school.