Alex's Answer

Hi, welcome to Ask Alex.   

We appreciate you writing to us. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings with us. It sounds like the topic of puberty you learnt in school is making you feel a bit confused. It is natural to rethink what you learnt and how this applies to the current information you are learning.  

You have the right to understand how different educational systems work from country-to-country. Furthermore, it’s important to note that Irish school education may differ from county-to-county. As a young person, you have the right to understand how the county you are staying in provides you with relevant information/education and protects your rights and wellbeing.  

It is only natural to feel confused when you are receiving information about such an important topic from different sources, and it can also be difficult to source accurate information and find all the answers. You would have a right to know the changes that occur when you reach puberty and how this can be different from child to child. You also have the right to talk about puberty with the adults you trust. It is important when asking for educational information about puberty, that you do so from a trusted adult like your parent/guardian or teacher to ensure you receive the correct facts. The Childline website has an article on puberty which you might like to look at www.childline.ie/puberty/.  

Maybe you would like to talk with Childline too. The Childline team are here to listen to you day and night and you are welcome to contact us at any time. We are available by free phone on 1800 66 66 66, by text at 50101 or by web chat through: www.childline.ie.  The services are free, confidential, non-judgmental and we offer a safe place to talk about anything that is going on for you. We would love to hear from you! 

Take care, 

Alex