While sex education has been mandatory in Western countries for years now, developing countries still have no strict rules to educate their young generation about sex. There, the word is still a taboo and youngsters are often misled. But is sex education really important?
I remember at least two theories from my childhood about the ‘appearance’ of babies in hospitals apart from the ‘pelican beak’ theory that most children know: a woman who wants a baby is supposed to eat a particular type of sweet for nine months, select a date, go to the hospital, ask the doctor for a baby, and bring home one once the doctor thinks that the baby likes the new mother. And if you want a younger sibling, you have to pray to God to send you one and do your homework on time. Vague? Weird? Well, that is how I got my younger sister!
The term ‘sex’, in my country, is used only on application forms. Using it in any other sense will either make you a rebel, or an uncultured being who is not eligible to live in a civilized society. The word is a taboo in itself; it is simply forbidden to use. If you are a biology student, then you are allowed to use copulation, intercourse, or mating in conversations, but ‘sex’ is a big no-no.
Pardon me, but I am going to commit an ‘almost’ felony — I will talk about SEX Education. Why felony, you ask? Because well, I identify myself as a woman!
Sex education is one of the most important yet most neglected topics that should be covered in schools. The western countries have special lectures for this, but the case is quite different in developing countries. I remember my biology teacher removing the chapter on human reproduction in the eighth standard. According to her, it was unnecessary and awkward. Those interested in human physiology and anatomy could always choose biology as their chosen field of study after high school. “Anyway, the diagrams of the breasts and male and female reproductive organs are too graphic for young minds”. Ironically, we had the chapter on population explosion in the same book and one of the reasons they gave for the population explosion was ‘lack of entertainment’.
Many people argue that sex education will make teenagers to have sex before becoming adults. But from what I’ve noticed by talking to teenagers, they are so curious about it that they want to know all about it by personal experience. The thing that would’ve been explained to them by medical professionals, psychologists, teachers, and parents is explained to them by online resources. I am not saying that digital material is not authentic, but it cannot replace the warmth of human understanding, ready to answer any question that pops up in their young brains and to make them feel safe if they are scared of sex.
There is another take at the need of sex education. It is a social necessity to stop the increasing instances of rapes, harassment, childhood pregnancies and crimes, and deaths due to unwanted pregnancies. Lack of proper sex education and awareness about reproductive health (especially the knowledge of suitable barriers/contraceptives) has often led to unwanted or high-risk pregnancies. Contrary to the popular belief, sex is not just fun; it is a responsible activity that can lead to disastrous physical, emotional, mental, and psychological consequences if not dealt with in the proper way. Apart from the well-known instances of rapes, murders, and health complications because of irresponsible sexual activities, there are other consequences that may arise due to improper use of contraceptives.
These facts do not mean that sex is a thing to be scared of; sex is one of the primary needs of human beings and is a beautiful experience if done in the right way. It is not that big a thing to be scared of, but it is not that small either to be taken casually. It is irreversible, and so are its effects. This is when sex education comes into play. It prepares the younger generation for a lifelong of good experiences, saving them from an unfortunate life, and at times, a terrible mistake. Sex education is not just a formality to make people aware of their reproductive parts and their workings; it is a need to build up a society that is socially, mentally, physically, emotionally, and psychologically healthy and happy. Sex education is not a choice. It is a necessity.
Now that we’ve talked about sex education, have you ever wondered what would happen if instead of females, men got periods? Check out this blog to see what we thought would happen. For more such interesting posts, join Fuzia today.