Let’s not ignore sex education to youths!!!

Dr.Sadhana Budhathoki

Each person’s reasoning on sex can influence their attitude towards life. In our society, sex is considered a taboo and therefore there is constriction in the channel flowing sex education from one generation to another.

Sex education is nothing but learning about physical development including sexual and reproductive knowledge, gender identity, relationships, and medically accurate information on a broad set of topics related to sexuality. There is a myth among people that sex education encourages people to have sexual relationships, but the fact is counterintuitive i.e. comprehensive sex education program can help adolescents delay sexual initiation. Furthermore, this program gives students realistic and factual information about the safety of various sexual accidents.

Although the world has changed a lot in terms of science and technology, with regard to sexual education, it is still infantile. In context of Nepal, the mentality of talking about sex is very different; talking about sex is a taboo here. Researching on the root of the problem, hesitation to talk about sex is mere to do with the fact that most of the past generations have grown up without sex education. Despite propaganda and repeated policies, it has been constantly ignored in various parts of our country. A deep rooted sense of pseudo morality binds the sentiment of the majority of people. Sadly, almost nothing has amended for the new generation regarding ways to handle relationships and methods of channeling sexual desires. In the contrary, many parents feel uncomfortable or unprepared to talk about such things with their children. This in turn makes children reluctant to open up with their parents in this topic. This repercussion is seen in our society in the shape of young daughters being sexually violated by their relatives and they can’t report it to their own parents: let alone the concerned authority.

Research has repeatedly found that sex education which provides accurate, complete, and developmentally appropriate information on human sexuality, including risk-reduction strategies and contraception helps young people take steps to protect their health, including delaying sex, using condom or contraception, and being monogamous. A 2012 study published in Washington DC: Advocates for Youth journal, examined 66 comprehensive sexual risk reduction programs found them to be an effective public health strategy to reduce adolescent pregnancy, HIV, and STIs. Research from the National survey of family growth (published in American Journal of preventive medicine,2012) assessed the impact of sexuality education on youth sexual risk-taking for young people aged 15-19 and found that teens who received sex education were 50 percent less likely to experience pregnancy than those who received abstinence- only-until marriage programs ( Journal of Adolescent health,2007).

A question might arise which age is perfect to teach sex education. Sexuality education should be an integral component throughout child development. Toddlers should be able to name all body parts including the genitals. Using the correct names for body parts will allow them to better communicate any health issues, injuries or sexual abuse. It also helps them understand that these parts are as normal as any others, which promotes self-confidence and positive body images. They should know the difference between male and female; should have a general understanding that a person’s gender identity is not determined by their genitals and that gender can be expressed in different ways. Caregivers can help by not connecting sexual biology to genders (e.g. say “people with penises” or “people with vaginas”). Likewise, Preschoolers (Two to four years old) should be able to understand the very basics of reproduction: the sperm and the egg join, and the baby grow in the uterus. Depending on their level of understanding and interest, you might tell children about their birth story and let them know that this isn’t the only way families are made. Do not think you have to cover everything at once. Younger kids are interested in pregnancy and babies, rather than the act of sex. Children should be made understood that their body is their own and no one can touch their body without their permission. They should know other people can touch them in some ways but not the other ways and that no one should be asking to touch their genitals except for their parents or health-care providers. Similarly, school-age children (Five to eight years old) should have basic understanding that some people are heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual, and that there is a range of gender expression; gender is not determined by person’s genitals. They should also know that the role of sexuality is in relationships. Pre-teens (Nine to 12 years old) should be taught about safer sex and contraception and should have basic information about pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. They should know that being a teenager does not mean they have to be sexually active. They should have increased knowledge of internet safety, including bullying and sexting. They should know the risks of sharing nude or sexually explicit photos of themselves or their peers. Teenagers (13 to 19 years old) should receive more detailed information about menstruation and nocturnal emission (wet dreams) and should understand that they are completely normal and healthy. Teens should continue learning the difference between a healthy relationship and an unhealthy one. This includes learning about pressures and dating violence and understanding what consent means in sexual relationships. They should be equipped with negotiation and refusal skills and methods for ending a relationship. Here I will delineate how pivotal sex education is for the uplifting of society.

1. It can prevent teen pregnancy by making adolescents aware about the use of contraceptives.
2. It reduces sexual discrimination as well as makes the society a more receptive to trans genders and homosexuals.
3. Reduces the crime rate like rape, murder after rape, sexual assaults etc. as the victim know the defensive measures as well as appropriate authority to report to.
4. More stable and healthy relationships will be established between males and females rather than relationships tenuously held by physical attraction and sexual desires.
5. This education makes people aware about their sexual orientation and hence the responsibility towards the society.
6. The risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), unplanned pregnancies increases with lack of sex education.
7. It makes us aware that menstrual cycle is a normal physiological process and untouchability, religious and social restrictions during periods is superstition. It also teaches females how to maintain menstrual hygiene properly.

In a nutshell, young people have the right to lead healthy lives. As they develop, we want them to take more control of their lives so that as they get older, they can make important life decisions on their own. Society needs to provide young people with honest, age-appropriate information they need to live healthy lives, and build healthy relationships, and young people in return need to take personal responsibility for their health and well-being.