sex education in schools

India is a country, where the concepts like Kamasutra and Manucharitra originated, but ironically it is also the originator of taboos and superstitions related to sex. The largest gulf of understanding still remains between the parents and the youth especially in the area of sexuality. Sex is a natural part of life and it can be discussed in a matured way without condoning the certain behavior. Relying on that, we realize that sex education is important to be inserted into a person’s life.

Therefore, Sex Education in Schools is very necessary for youngsters to acquire information, form attitudes, beliefs, identity, relationships, and intimacy. Sex education also encompasses sexual development, affection, body image and gender roles. In other words, it is about learning how we grow, reproduce and change over the years. It also includes a positive view of sex and the safety involved in sexuality. I strongly agree schools must provide young people with adequate sex education programs because ignorance can be harmful.

Famous author Michael Bassey Johnson has said:
“When children reach puberty, parents become so curious about their sex lives and whereabouts,  they put them behind bars to their own detriment. When such a child breaks free, don’t be surprised to see him/her watching porn movies.” 

Table of Contents

sex education in schoolsNow let us have a look at some of the Advantages of teaching Sex Education in Schools:

  • Sex education can develop skills and self-esteem to help the students who enter in adolescence.
  • It helps Children in knowing that sudden few changes are okay and normal.
  • Sex education also encourages them to have a coherent set of personal values based on respecting themselves and others.
  • It will enhance the sense of security among the children and they will realize that love is a normal thing.
  • The myths related to sex can be dispelled.
  • Sex education ultimately results in ensuring safer and healthier life for the youth.

Proper Sex education can have an impact on the sexual problems in adults also. Sex is seen as a ‘recreational’ course rather than a serious issue which is really very unfortunate. In a world full of exploitation, children are the most vulnerable section of our society. So they need to be taught the difference between good touch and bad touch in order to protect themselves from various forms of child abuse teaching sex education in schools is necessary.

With outlasting growth in every sector of India society, Sanitation issues and hygiene standards still lags behind. Sex education in the secondary level of schooling will provide a back to these problems and make people more literate about these basic issues, which will eventually lead to women empowerment and national growth.

Why is Sex Education Important in Schools? 

Introducing Sex education in schools is an important issue. Recommendations of the National Curriculum Framework focused on cultivating a proper understanding of issues among teenagers like teenage pregnancies, drug addiction, adolescent education, etc.

In a report, Ministry of Women and Child Development study shows that over 50% of children in India are sexually abused and in half of these cases, they are abused by the persons of trust and a majority of them fail to report due to fear. These stats are very disturbing. Sex education will at least give them the confidence which they need to speak up on facing sexual harassment.

sex education in schools
Teaching Sex Education in Schools

Sex education does not just refer to the education related to sexuality and reproduction system. It also suggests the basic understanding of gender equality, Hygiene issues, and general awareness. The myth about sex education is that it deals with sensitive information which should not be passed to the child at such early age.

Conclusion:

Hence we can say that sex can be a sensitive topic, but all in all your child or a teen is bound to have sex at one point in time. What I believe is, Sex is made out to be scary, and students need to be able to have a better understanding of what really goes on. If they don’t learn in schools, where else will they? A website? A friend? All of which can be unreliable sources. The truth of the matter is that teenagers aren’t going to have someone to speak about sex, that isn’t exactly a preference of teens. This makes Sex Education in Schools very important and it can definitely be called as “THE NEED OF THE HOUR”.

Niharika Sonkar

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