Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is an issue surrounded by controversy and debate, with important implications for the interconnected roles of the state, the school and the home and for the way we understand ourselves, our sexual identity and our personal relationships. This book charts the development of the moral and spiritual narrative in RSE policy in England. In particular, it expounds and critiques the popular moral narrative of «informed choice»: an approach which advocates providing young people with the maximum amount of information around their sexual choices and defends a view of sexual morality which holds that anything goes, as long as it is in private, between consenting adults and harms no-one else. Alongside a comprehensive critique of this narrative, the book offers a unique contribution to the ongoing development of the moral and spiritual framework of RSE by presenting a Christian vision of a sexually and relationally educated young person. In particular, this enriched vision explores the cultivation of the virtues of Christian love and chastity. The findings presented here are highly significant for anyone concerned with developing and delivering RSE within a robust moral framework.

Olwyn E. Mark is Head of Research and Strategic Partnerships at Love for Life, a Christian charity specializing in the development and delivery of Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) programmes. She is also a Research Fellow and Visiting Lecturer at the London School of Theology, where she completed her PhD. She has an MA in Bioethics from St Mary's University, Twickenham and an MA in European Politics from Brunel University. She has been involved in the development of numerous faith-based RSE projects, both nationally and internationally.

CONTENTS: Part I: The Moral Framework of Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) – Relationships and Sex Education Policy: A «Politics of Moral Engagement»? – Why Teach Morality and Sex? Pursuing a Liberal Ideal – Educating for Health: Promoting Welfare and Wellbeing – Educating for Morality: Informing Autonomous Choice – Part II: The Moral Narrative of Sex – The Sexual Child and the Ethic of Sex – A Naturalist «Principle of Pleasure» – Love, Law and Consent – Part III: The Value of Virtue in Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) – Cultivating Virtue in Moral Education: An Enriched Vision for RSE – Common Virtue in Moral Education: A Theological Defence – Educating for Sexual Virtue: Christian Love and Chastity