Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Sex Education in Schools... why?

I am just annoyed with the online-offline debates going on with regard to the proposed Sex Education in schools, and subsequent issues. The whole topic has been blown up into unwanted proportions, which benefits neither our children nor their education. I am not playing fiddle to either side of the argument, in fact I have questions for both groups- the ones who are for it, and the ones who are against it.

Let me ask all those young minds with modern attitude and broad vision- Is this the grave concern that our students have at this point of time? What changes can we expect once our secondary students are taught in class, about the ‘sensitive’ matter, about which, I am sure, majority of them will be proficient enough much before that.[ Come on yaar , even I passed the age a few years back, and so do You!]. And if this helps in maintaining the moral side of a generation, what justification can you give for the rising number of teenage abortions, unmarried mothers and hostile relationships of the developed countries of Europe and North America? But none of them are taboos from hell, in those countries. What about us?

I still remember my 10th standard Biology text book. We too had two pages of a topic which was supposed to be a primitive Sex Ed but was handled in very different manner. The topic before this was regarding fertilization in a flower. After that, my teacher just glanced through the page and said casually “ Now the rest, you people can read and understand”. What was she expecting us to read and understand, at such an innocent age of 15? [ LOL]

Why to embarrass our teachers like that? To compel them to describe in detail, about something they consider as sacred and not-to-be-discussed, is not fair. Let us hand over that duty to our parents. Who else can be as free as a father or mother, to a kid? No I am not just giving a vague suggestion; I am suggesting this because I know it works. Or, in other words, it worked for me. I am thankful to my Appa and Amma for the fact that I never had to stare wondering at adz, to distinguish between a Condom and a Sanitary Napkin, and I am always proud to say that! Let us ask our parents to handle the delicate Issue.

Now a word for the silly political clowns: We all know that it is not because of the concern for the social morality that all of you are so eager to respond to the issue. Get some other topics to reap your votes, and Let experts handle this. You are playing around with the future of this country. Be careful!

4 comments:

Sou's Musings said...

Well said!!:)

cafm said...

good post man..but to leave it completely to parents?
I think the urban crowd is not very ignorant about sex-protection and conseqences (its that whats we mean by sex education? and not just the gory details ;))....whose parents would anyway not have much issues and required knowledge. Where are in the rural areas not only would this a taboo subject at home but also the knowledge about protection may not be there with the parents. It is here that teachers come into the picture and I don't think there is any substitute to them.

But I also feel that "sex-education" should also go into the social-economic issues a unmarried mother would face, in a language the students can relate to, if its to achieve its purpose

by the way I am linking to you in my blog

Happy blogging :)

Unknown said...

what percentage of kids at age of 15 do you think are aware of the sex related subjects which you were at that age?

Furthermore, how many guys do you think gets their arsehole pierced by their beloved uncles or cousins durin pre-teen age just for their sexual pleasures or curiosity, and sufferres, because of the shame which disallows them to discuss it with parents or anyother body?

What do you think sex-education is going to be about?

It is very necessary to provide sex-education to boys and girls at pre-teen age in proper questioning manner so that the rates of paedophiliac sexual harrassments may decrease.

Devika Jyothi said...

Well, yes it is a very serious and delicate issue.

Eductaing children on sex and progeny is perhaps a very subjective issue and it should essentially be a parental responsiblity. May be a parent-teacher combine if needed.

But I don't subscribe to the view that a pre-teen should be given an introduction to sex and sexuality. Because,in which ever manner we may say, the child isn't going to get that! (Not to say, the embarassment of the parent or the teacher in talking sex with a child.)

And vague introductions and skewed information can only activate their instincts at a early inappropriate age and in a inapt manner...

If rising child abuse/sexual harassment by adults is the issue, lets look unto ourselves; redefine our responsibilities to children.