Toronto - Sexual desire is inherent and primal in all human beings. It is one of the universal commonalities of all societies.
Toronto – Sexual desire is inherent and primal in all human beings. It is one of the universal commonalities of all societies.
Yet, there are huge differences in sex-related practices, morals, discourses and legal regulations worldwide. One aspect that seems to be a controversial subject almost everywhere is the extent to which children and teenagers should be informed and educated about the basic facts of life.
I don’t have to be a parent myself to definitively say that all parents have the same concerns regarding their children; they want to protect them and prepare them for success in their adult lives. All loving parents do these things. Parents differentiate themselves by the inexhaustible variety of methods they employ. These differences can largely be attributed to social and cultural differences.
Regarding the subject of sex, there are various concerns parents have toward protecting their children. In secular or more sexually liberal societies, parents are generally concerned about protecting their children from STDs, unwanted pregnancies and broken hearts. While in more religiously influenced, family-oriented, or conservative societies, parents are concerned with the aforementioned issues as well as protecting their child’s virginity, virtue, reputation, or spiritual purity. Sex education presents an effective and pro-active way to address these concerns. And it can even encourage pre-marital abstinence.
As a Canadian, brought up in the public school system, I went through several variations of sex education and experienced some of the radical changes in the public sexual education curriculum. Two of these changes include the distribution of “the sex book” to students, as well as the new development of the HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccine.
I was a sheepish fourteen-year-old when my tenth grade teacher handed me my government issued copy of the controversial new “sex book.” Looking back on the basic information that was in that book now, I can say that anyone who didn’t know those basic facts could be in very big trouble. What’s more concerning to me now is that many people don’t know the basic facts in that book and often do end up finding themselves in some very problematic situations. Basic information regarding the causes of pregnancy, what can and cannot effectively prevent pregnancy, and the way in which incurable and fatal STDs are contracted can all be found in this textbook.
Thinking back to that time, I can remember the news coverage of complaints from concerned parents who believed the distribution of the sex book would encourage their children to experiment sexually. Yet, distribution continued as studies provided astounding evidence demonstrating the many benefits of sexual education, especially as a preventative measure.
Another controversial issue in Canada now, concerns the development of the HPV vaccine. The Canadian Ministry of Health, estimates that well over 70 percent of Canadians have been exposed to the HPV virus (a sexually transmitted infection). Often, this virus is completely dormant and invisible, but in its worst manifestations can cause cervical cancer in women, and throat cancer in men. A vaccine has been developed, and in some Canadian provinces it has been distributed through public schools to children around the age of 11.
Many parents expressed concern that after receiving the vaccine, students would feel they are safe to do as they please, and parents worried it would encourage sexually irresponsible behaviors in pre-teens. Yet, with the appropriate education, it may have actually developed the opposite effect. If students receive a vaccine and are informed of the seriousness of the situation, it can lead to a more mature, informed and responsible attitude toward sexual activity. If students are told that this vaccine only protects them against certain manifestations of one STD, among the many that can be contracted, they may become more aware of the various potential risks associated with sexual activity.
In order to give factual information, sexual education policies must specify that the only 100 percent guarantee not to contract an STD or have an unwanted pregnancy is pre-marital abstinence. Abstinence can be encouraged in sexual education policies to varying degrees depending on cultural priorities.
There is overwhelming evidence to suggest that sex education can reduce teen pregnancy and the spread of STDs. The US center for Disease Control and Prevention reported on average a 15 percent drop in teen pregnancies between 2007-2011 after implementing better sex education programs.
The NGO, “Advocates for Youth,” reported several findings indicating that abstinence-based sex education programs that excluded important information were totally ineffective. Essentially, there is evidence to suggest that informing teenagers about the risks associated with sex actually discourages, rather than encourages sexual activity, and may also even implement a healthy dose of fear related to the real risks involved in sexual activity. It is also quite possible that sex education programs that encourage abstinence and provide knowledge simultaneously could be very effective.
In a place like Morocco, the consequences for unwed mothers can be very severe, as can the stigma attached to contracting an STD or simply engaging in pre-marital sexual activity. This means that sexual education in more conservative societies is particularly important. Since many parents around the world are uncomfortable discussing this issue with their children, there is a great need for this important subject to be taught in schools.
Sexual education should be an integral part of curriculum in schools all over the world. Not to encourage sex or mandate abstinence, but rather to encourage knowledge, awareness, and fully informed decisions. Once children are taught all of the risks and factors involved in sexual activity, it may actually become less appealing.
Edited by Liz Yaslik
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Morocco World News’ editorial policy
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