The paper discusses issues involved in providing sex education to the mentally retarded. Research is reviewed which cites the need for and desirability of sex education, including enhancing socialization, fostering sound personality development, teaching sexual appropriateness in terms of time and place, allowing for emotional and physical release, and decreasing the probability of sexual exploitations. Arguments agains sex education are seen to include concerns regarding teaching attitudes and values, training of instructors, encouraging of premature sexual sophistication, and invading the privacy of the family. The author concludes that sex education is an important part of normalization. (CL)