Is 10 years old too young for valentines?

[Cordy]

"A primary school has banned Valentine cards, saying they are inappropriate for pupils too young for romance.
Parents with children at Ashcombe Primary School in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, were told in this month’s newsletter that any cards found on to the premises would be confiscated. Peter Turner, the head teacher, wrote: “We do not wish to see any Valentine’s Day cards in school this year. Any cards found in school will be confiscated. Any families wishing to support this concept should ensure that cards are sent in the post or delivered to home addresses by hand.”
He added: “Some children and parents encourage a lot of talk about boyfriends and girlfriends. We believe that such ideas should wait until children are mature enough emotionally and socially to understand the commitment involved in having or being a boyfriend or girlfriend.” The school, which has 419 pupils, was praised in a recent Ofsted inspection for its emphasis on pastoral care but Mr Turner has been criticised for the new restrictions.
Rajeev Takyar, a newsagent whose children Jai, 11, and Aryan, 5, attend the school. said: “Whatever is going to be next? There are schools that have banned conkers and snowballs and now Valentine’s cards. Banning them stops children from having social skills. How are they going to learn about relationships otherwise? It is ridiculous.”
Alec Suttenwood, of the Anti Political Correctness group, also condemned the ban on Valentine cards. “It is totally ridiculous,” he said. “Young children just send them to each other as friends and to their parents. There is nothing more in it.
“It is pathetic that people have actually gone to the bother of doing this. It is political-correct nonsense. It is just a bit of harmless fun. There is no difference between this and Mother’s or Father’s Day. It is totally over the top.”
A spokesman for North Somerset Council said that the school was concerned about children sending cards declaring love.
“Ashcombe is a primary school and they believe that children under the age of 11 are still emotionally and socially developing and therefore cards declaring love can be confusing,” he said, adding that Mr Turner was happy to discuss the issue with concerned parents"

Is it just me or is this country just hit another contradiction?
In a time where pupils in England are to be given classes in sex and relationships from the age of five.... yet they cannot send valentines cards at the age of ten because they will be 'confused' and not emotionally old enough to understand a relationship.
 
So, is this a good idea or just another OTT moment.
Debate.

[Jee]

Gawwdddddddd 

"Whatever is going to be next? There are schools that have banned conkers and snowballs and now Valentine’s cards. Banning them stops children from having social skills. How are they going to learn about relationships otherwise? It is ridiculous.”
I think that about sums it up....

Now i know that sexual awareness happens earlier now than it did when i was at school...but i really do think that sending valentines cards at primary school is all about innocent little crushes, blushing all the while and giggling. Or am i being purposefully naive?

"cards declaring love can be confusing"
I hardly think kids of 8 and 9 are declaring their undying love...and i hardly think that a kid who receives a valentines card with lovehearts made out of macaroni is going to be so confused about it that they get upset!

"In a time where pupils in England are to be given classes in sex and relationships from the age of five.... yet they cannot send valentines cards at the age of ten because they will be 'confused' and not emotionally old enough to understand a relationship"
Well exactly...ironic much?  I think that should be the real debate here...i see nothing wrong with innocent crushes and sending cards...but i have a problem with a 5yr old being taught sexual education.

[lovegeneration]

I think you can;t be too young or too old to love!

St. Valentine's day can't be banned!

[ѕмιттєи кιттєи]

If I'm honest anything that takes commercialism out from our schools where kids are more susceptible to it, then the better. Although I do think this is a little extreme. I mean they should ban all hallmark holidays as standard, or none at all.

I totally agree with everything you said Jee  ironically at 5 they're taught sex-ed, but at 10 they're not allowed to have a crush? What is it that Crackers says... trombloids?!