IT WAS interesting to read the views of YouthInk writers in "Raising awareness about risks of unprotected sex" (The Straits Times, Nov 3).

Recent reports indicated that quite a number of young people from the ages of 18 to 29 have been diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases.

A common response to this has been the promotion of abstinence.

We should be giving more information to teenagers, rather than trying to enforce abstinence. The attitude taken towards sex education by parents and teachers has to change.

More youths are engaging in sexual activity, but their level of awareness of its risks is not increasing.

It is the job of both parents and teachers to reach out to teens to provide them with sufficient information about sex.

Simply promoting abstinence is unrealistic.

Children are more exposed to the media and the Internet now, and spend more time outside the home.

Parents should do their part at home by explaining the subject to their children when they are young, and keeping channels of communication open.

If parents and teachers would not educate the young, who will?

Mr Sebastian Tan