Many parents in Germany share this approach.

“Here in Central Europe definitely the kids have a lot of burning questions, and so the school is well-advised to answer them, and parents of course are also in the picture, but I think it’s a very good thing that the schools conduct sex education here”, says a dad whose son is to start his sexual education classes next year.

However, while many parents have come to accept the lessons, others will not agree. Mandatory attendance at such classes, regardless of the parents’ religious beliefs has sparked controversy among some parents and those in the religious community. Some adults would be more supportive of a curriculum that focused on parents.

“Show parents, educate parents how to execute their responsibilities while they are educating their children. My view is to educate parents. They can make the difference,” says one of the parents, Helge Beer.

“I understand parents who want to decide on their own when they give their children all the information about sexuality and the development and the body. But I know about 25 per cent of boys and girls, even in Germany, cannot talk about these topics,” argues Marthe Kniep.

The issue was even brought to court when two parents argued that lessons at their sons’ schools infringed upon their religious beliefs and their rights as parents. The court has so far disagreed.