Sex education is a controversial issue in Russia, with only a limited number of schools opting to teach the subject.

Kamila is bringing up her 11-year-old son alone, and works at one of Moscow's beauty salons. She says that if her son's father was around, he could have helped teach him about sex, but since she's alone it's a job for the specialists.

“Sexologists or psychologists know the best ways of teaching sex education,” she believes.

She adds: “Parents have to spend more time with their kids to protect children from other non-educational sex information. They have to keep them under control and try to keep them occupied as much as possible during their free time.”

According to the official Russian Public Opinion Research centre, 81 per cent of parents agree with Kamila, saying sex education should be taught in schools. Only 10 per cent are against the idea.

This view is backed by some specialists, who claim that sex education helps prevent sex crimes.

“Behind the story of every serious sex offender, there's always a lack of proper sex education. This is in 100 per cent of cases,” says sexologist Vladimir Finezilberg. “Thus, sex education is a measure which helps prevent crimes, and only professionals can take part in this process.”

Father Mikhail Prokopenko an Orthodox priest has three children himself. He says sex education in schools would not only fail to prevent the spread of violence, but could actually corrupt the minds of children sexually.

He said: “Only within a family can a child get the foundations of future sex life. So far, sex education in schools only leads to the growth of sexually transmitted diseases.”

He believes the decision-making on sex education in schools can't be taken by the government alone and should involve society institutions.

This view of the Church is echoed among some school professionals. School psychologist Larisa Kobzeva says it's better for children to receive information about sex from their family.

“Sometimes that doesn't work out and professionals may have to step in but I think this issue should always be discussed individually. I don't think that all children should be given same information about sex in schools,” she said.

Opinions differ whether or not sexual education should be taught in schools. Some say it's more than necessary, while others fear it could pervert children.

All sides agree, however, that young people need to be helped to handle the info about sex that they receive from the mass media, and that both authorities and society should play a role.

Inclusive education: cons and pros