Not a parent so not really qualified to pass judgement methinks, however, here's some thoughts of what I have seen around and abouts which bears some connection...
1. Whilst visiting my cousin in Germany, his 13yo daughter came home with from a party with a condom. Being English, I kind of expected shock and outrage, and sort of took cover expecting fur and feathers to start flying. But instead, my cousin and his wife discussed the matter of condoms in a very mature and adult fashion with their daughter, and even told her how to practise putting one on, using two fingers of one hand to simulate a penis, so that when she got older and the time came, she would know what to do. Wow, now it that attitude was replicated in the UK, what impact will it have on teenage pregnancies?
2. Whilst visiting the UK, some Spanish friends of mine came with their 18 year old daughter. Whilst they went to a local swinging club, the daughter was not allowed out of the hotel room as "she was only 18 and still too young". Not to go swinging, but to go sightseeing in town I hasten to add. ( I had a spare ZZ Top concert ticket that she could have had but the offer was declined)
Two contrasting attitudes to age and adulthood from two different countries and cultures. So what is the answer?(don't ask me I don't know) At what age can the matter of sex and sexuality be acceptable? Especially as (only an opinion here...)we British are the past masters at (in public at least) brushing sexuality under the carpet and pretending that it doesn't exist, leading to the most sexually under-educated teeage population in the developed world.
Casanova
should have explained that one better!