The frank description of sexual intercourse in a recently-released sex education textbook for primary school students in Beijing has triggered a wave of parental concern.

"To let sperm find the ovum as soon as possible, dad inserts his penis into mom's vagina at full tilt and the sperm enters mom's vagina,” the book reads.

This passage taken from the textbook titled Growing Steps appears with illustrations of the intercourse-engaged penis and vagina in the first part of the series for students aged 6 to 7 years old.

"It's too much for children. It's simply porn pictures for kids. It is not healthy," said a mother surnamed Liu, who worries that the material may be too mature for her 8-year-old.

Liu's concerns are echoed by many parents in a country that has never before offered sex education to primary school students, said 33-year-old mother Wu Ou, deputy chief editor of China's popular science website Guokr.com.

The primary school books are set to begin a trial run at 18 schools in the coming semester.

Although some parents are concerned that the content could be too graphic or mature for young children, others are voicing their support.

Feng Zhihua is the deputy editor of one of China's most popular biological and medical websites dxy.cn, and he’s also a father.

"Adults see dirty things in the books while students may not. They see things in a different way and we should not judge the books from our own perspectives. The words 'penis' and 'vagina' will come to the students sooner or later. There is no need to avoid them in education," Feng told Xinhua.

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）

About the broadcaster:

Renee Haines is an editor and broadcaster at China Daily. Renee has more than 15 years of experience as a newspaper editor, radio station anchor and news director, news-wire service reporter and bureau chief, magazine writer, book editor and website consultant. She came to China from the United States.