Sir, - When I wrote about the consequences of failure to teach young people and adults about their sexuality (July 3rd) I had in mind much more than the possibility of pregnancy, the interpretation fixed on by Vera Hughes (July 9th).
One consequence I had not considered, however, was that some adults might make strange assumptions about what sex education involves.
Can I reassure Ms Hughes that she and I are of one mind on the issue of teaching respect for our bodies? I would, however, suggest that respect cannot grow from sexual ignorance. Indeed, when we fail to educate young people, their sources of "knowledge" tend to be experimentation and titbits picked up from friends and the media.
If they are one day to be capable of fully exploring the "meaningful relationships" your correspondent envisages, our children deserve better.
Dr Sandra McAvoy, Ballincurrig Park, Douglas Road, Cork.