Are we getting proper Sex Education?

Are we getting proper Sex Education?

I still remember my mother sitting on the bed, waiting for me to wake up. The reason was my entering puberty.  I was totally unaware of the concepts like puberty, period, menstruation. Much later, I understood that mensuration is normal and natural. Species exist because of the process of mensuration. 

What is sex education?

Let’s begin with the meaning of sex education to understand the importance of sex education.
Sex education is a broad term used to describe education about human sexual anatomy, sexual intercourse and other aspects of human sexual behavior. It has taken a positive view of sexual development as a natural part of growing up of children.

Who will give sexual education?

In India, the common avenues for sex education are parents, guardians, school system, media and government health campaigns. Sex education in school makes it easier for parents to talk to their adolescent children about sex.

Need for sexual education

In addition, sex was treated as taboo in most of the cultures and religious groups. This led to a conservative attitude of saying no to sex education. 

If we protect children from sex education and perpetuate the vicious cycle of cultural taboo and dangerous misinformation, it leads to an alarming situation. 
It is now an established fact that abstinence-only-until-marriage programs are ineffective. Increasing support for abstinence-only sex education by conservative groups has been one of the primary cause of controversy. 
In the 1960’s the higher incidences of sexually transmitted diseases and teenage pregnancies raised a huge alarm among academicians. The outbreak of AIDS in Africa and South Asia was equally alarming.

Curriculum of Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE)

Introduction of CSE courses can happen from 7th to 9th grade onwards. Normally, it is when most children enter puberty. 
Furthermore, generally the topics covered in sex education are:
•    Human Development – reproduction, puberty, sexual orientation, gender identity.
•    Relationships – family, friendship, romantic relations.
•    Sexual Behavior including abstinence and sexuality throughout life.
•    Sexual Health including sexually remitted diseases, contraception and pregnancy.
•    Society and Culture including gender roles, diversity (LGBTQ), sexuality in media.

Thus, we, at Patna Diaries, hope that school authorities and parents will be more particular about sex education in the coming years.

Where did you get your sex education from? Do let us know in the comment section below.