SEX EDUCATION

(Relevance and Methodology to impart it)

Sex education encompasses education about all aspects of sexuality, including information about reproduction (fertilisation, conception and development of the embryo and foetus, through to childbirth), information about all aspects of one's sexuality including: body image, sexual orientation, sexual pleasure, values, decision making, communication, dating, relationships, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and how to avoid them, and birth control methods. Sex education is not all about relationship and intercourse. Teaching sex education also includes the stages of a persons physical development, his body image, gender roles, and even his emotions. It is the topic that teaches the younger ones about how they came to be, the way they are expected grow, and their ability to reproduce offspring themselves. This paper aims at the following objectives: 1. To explain the relevance and methodology to impart sex education. 2. To study the Indian status regarding sex education. 3. To make suggestions for implementation of sex education.

Relevance and Methodology of Sex Education

Debates go on and on as to whether to teach children about safe sex or to influence them toward sexual abstinence as they go through their young adulthood life. Safe Sex Sex education is not just an option but a necessity for teens nowadays. If safe sex is not practiced, the outcome is always either a disease (STD) or unwanted pregnancy. Children past the puberty stage need to be informed not only about body parts and the reproductive system. They are supposed to learn something deeper about relationships and safe sex, as these will teach them how to act responsibly when the time comes. Another important point why sex education needs to be taught to children is to make them aware of the things that will happen within themselves and their social world. Sex education will take away the ignorance that can lead young adults to commit errors in their judgments as far as coupling and sexual interactions are concerned. With proper sex education, the incidence of teen pregnancy and irresponsible parenthood can be controlled. Sex education will not only enrich the minds of the children; it will also boost their confidence and self-esteem, which consequently, a lot of youngsters seem to lose as they enter puberty. Those without adequate learning about the changes happening in their bodies end up being either afraid or confused about the situation they are facing. And if this dilemma is not addressed right away, the child may grow up shy and intimidated amidst other people. Abstinence-only Abstinence-only sex education is a form of sex education that emphasizes abstinence from sex to the exclusion of all other types of sexual and reproductive health education, particularly

Submitted by: Sandeep Vij, 77th GOC at ASC, P.U. Chandigarh. March 1-28, 2008

regarding birth control and safe sex. This type of sex education promotes sexual abstinence until marriage and either completely avoids any discussion about the use of contraceptives, or only reveals failure rates associated with such use. Proponents of this method prefer that their kids be taught of the right values in schools instead of teaching them which birth control pill is better to use.

When to give Sex Education

Teaching the kids about sex should start before they reach puberty. Young kids are likely to ask how they were born and how they came to be. These are good signals as to when we can introduce to kids about the reproduction system and the process of conception. Depending upon their ages, they should be thoroughly explained every stage and what exactly happens in each of them. And once it is clear to the children the idea of how babies came to be, the concepts of love, courtship, and intimacy come next. These concepts anticipate the childs social interactions, mostly to the persons of the opposite sex. It is okay to tell children that some emotions are normal. An open communication between child and parent is necessary, especially when they reach this point. Children past the puberty stages are expected to undergo first hand experiences about relationships. Parental and teachers guidance is very important at this juncture.

Who should give Sex Education

It is a must that sex education starts at home. Nobody can teach a child better than his own mother and father. Sex education should be introduced at an early age, most preferably before children start schooling or when they first spring the question How did I came to be? Parents should take it upon themselves to inform their children in a subtle and low-key manner what sex and sexuality is all about. This is quite fitting, as almost all children tend to be very curious about themselves and the world they live in. And surely at one point in their life, they are going to ask a lot of questions about themselves and the things around them. As parents, you should take that as an opportunity to introduce sex education to your kids. The bottom line is this: parents should set the groundwork of sex education in their children. The community and schools are always there to support them, but these two groups can not do more than what a pair of responsible parents can.

How to give sex education

In this age of the knowledge economy, we cannot believe that people's access to information on any subject, including matters relating to sex, can be controlled. Everybody, including kids and young adults, uses either the television or the Internet on a daily basis. And these types of media are jointly considered as two of the most used sources of sexual health facts and data. And if these are used properly, they could be very powerful tools in disseminating information that pertains to sex education. It is then quite safe to say that young individuals have the tendency to turn to media for answers to their individual sexual health questions if and when their parents fail to teach them
Submitted by: Sandeep Vij, 77th GOC at ASC, P.U. Chandigarh. March 1-28, 2008

such things. But then again, parents can always take advantage of what they see on TV about sexual health as something to discuss to their children with. It is just a matter of fostering an open communication with them. Kids have to be taught about their sexuality and the body parts that are gender specific. It is also important to teach them what changes they can expect in the near future or when they reach the puberty stage. Teaching them the roles and functions of each body part will also serve as a good framework in teaching them about the reproduction process.

Indian Position
Dangerously enough, there is no consensus in India over introducing sex and reproductive health education in the school and college syllabus. Meanwhile, the reality is that a large population of about 300 million young people is in the age group 12-24, and studies are showing their growing preference for pre-marital sex. In a survey in 2002 by The Week magazine, of unmarried young Indians, 69 per cent of men admitted to pre-marital sex compared to 38 per cent of women. In the 16-19 group, forty-five per cent had pre-marital sex, while 27 per cent were 15 years or under and 28 per cent were 20 years or older. The Supreme Court on 16 November, 2007 decided that sex education in schools cannot be brought under the ambit of fundamental rights by making it a part of the right to education. "We cannot make it (sex education) a fundamental right," a bench comprising Justice Ruma Pal and Justice A R Lakshmanan said while dealing with a Public Interest Litigation, which had suggested making sex education in schools compulsory. The NGO, Nari Raksha Samiti, had submitted that sex education in school curricula could play a role in checking the rise in rape cases. Though agreeing with the suggestion, the bench said it cannot be given the status of a fundamental right on the same footing as the right to education itself. Arguments against Sex Education Following are some instances of arguments against sex education: Actually, children may be harmed by some of these very well-meaning ideas. It has already been shown from studies of lowering of puberty age (7 years for girls and 9 years for boys in USA) that children are suffering due to early activation of sexuality. The business factors involved in pushing the child sex education can not be overlooked. It is a huge industry - from condoms, drugs, early pregnancy termination etc. Sexual exploitation and sexual diseases should be prevented by using alternative methods. During the deployment of Indian armed forces in Sierra Leone, several years ago, the moral and cultural education implemented by Indian commanders kept every Indian soldier (irrespective of religion) away from contracting HIV, whereas all other countries with full implementation of sex education and condoms had to send dozens of their soldiers back after contracting HIV. Ability to write a few catchy words - knowledge economy, access to information, or education, is no substitute to thoughtful and considered ideas. It is important to learn all the circumstances and use all the resources available locally to devise ideas and programs. India has its culture as the most effective tool for implementation, but that

Submitted by: Sandeep Vij, 77th GOC at ASC, P.U. Chandigarh. March 1-28, 2008

may require activation of a few more nerve cells in the brain, and may also require alteration in many imported practices over several decades. Past Experience World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) claims that early sex education delays the start of sexual activity, reduces sexual activity among young people, and encourages those already sexually active to have safer sex. Researchers have found "no support for the contention that sex education encourages sexual experimentation or increased activity." Back in 1993, a survey of 35 sex education projects conducted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) showed that sex education in schools did not encourage young people to have sex at an earlier age or more frequently. Rather importantly, the survey showed that early sex education delays the start of sexual activity, reduces sexual activity among young people and encourages those already sexually active to have safer sex. Furthermore, the WHO published a review of 1,050 scientific articles on sex education programmes. Researchers found "no support for the contention that sex education encourages sexual experimentation or increased activity. If any effect is observed, almost without exception, it is in the direction of postponed initiation of sexual intercourse and/or effective use of contraception."

Report on Effects of Sex Education on Young People's Sexual Behaviour says, Failure to provide appropriate and timely information misses the opportunity of reducing the unwanted outcomes of unintended pregnancy and transmission of STDs, and is, therefore, in the disservice of our youth." Conclusion In conclusion, I would say that two options of sex education- safe sex and abstinence should be complementary to each other. Abstinence only sex education in itself can not be effective. However, after the comprehensive safe sex education to teenagers, we should emphasize abstinence and mutual monogamy. The abstinence approach should be comprehensive involving not only educators, but also parents, philosophers, religious leaders, medical experts, psychologists, policy makers, media, and community. Philosophers and religious leaders should play crucial role in clarifying our common core values based on our collective conscience, which we all can accept, concerning sexuality, marriage, and family.

Submitted by: Sandeep Vij, 77th GOC at ASC, P.U. Chandigarh. March 1-28, 2008