Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Submitted by: Sandeep Vij, 77th GOC at ASC, P.U. Chandigarh. March 1-28, 2008
regarding birth control and safe sex. This type of sex education promotes sexual abstinence until marriage and either completely avoids any discussion about the use of contraceptives, or only reveals failure rates associated with such use. Proponents of this method prefer that their kids be taught of the right values in schools instead of teaching them which birth control pill is better to use.
such things. But then again, parents can always take advantage of what they see on TV about sexual health as something to discuss to their children with. It is just a matter of fostering an open communication with them. Kids have to be taught about their sexuality and the body parts that are gender specific. It is also important to teach them what changes they can expect in the near future or when they reach the puberty stage. Teaching them the roles and functions of each body part will also serve as a good framework in teaching them about the reproduction process.
Indian Position
Dangerously enough, there is no consensus in India over introducing sex and reproductive health education in the school and college syllabus. Meanwhile, the reality is that a large population of about 300 million young people is in the age group 12-24, and studies are showing their growing preference for pre-marital sex. In a survey in 2002 by The Week magazine, of unmarried young Indians, 69 per cent of men admitted to pre-marital sex compared to 38 per cent of women. In the 16-19 group, forty-five per cent had pre-marital sex, while 27 per cent were 15 years or under and 28 per cent were 20 years or older. The Supreme Court on 16 November, 2007 decided that sex education in schools cannot be brought under the ambit of fundamental rights by making it a part of the right to education. "We cannot make it (sex education) a fundamental right," a bench comprising Justice Ruma Pal and Justice A R Lakshmanan said while dealing with a Public Interest Litigation, which had suggested making sex education in schools compulsory. The NGO, Nari Raksha Samiti, had submitted that sex education in school curricula could play a role in checking the rise in rape cases. Though agreeing with the suggestion, the bench said it cannot be given the status of a fundamental right on the same footing as the right to education itself. Arguments against Sex Education Following are some instances of arguments against sex education: Actually, children may be harmed by some of these very well-meaning ideas. It has already been shown from studies of lowering of puberty age (7 years for girls and 9 years for boys in USA) that children are suffering due to early activation of sexuality. The business factors involved in pushing the child sex education can not be overlooked. It is a huge industry - from condoms, drugs, early pregnancy termination etc. Sexual exploitation and sexual diseases should be prevented by using alternative methods. During the deployment of Indian armed forces in Sierra Leone, several years ago, the moral and cultural education implemented by Indian commanders kept every Indian soldier (irrespective of religion) away from contracting HIV, whereas all other countries with full implementation of sex education and condoms had to send dozens of their soldiers back after contracting HIV. Ability to write a few catchy words - knowledge economy, access to information, or education, is no substitute to thoughtful and considered ideas. It is important to learn all the circumstances and use all the resources available locally to devise ideas and programs. India has its culture as the most effective tool for implementation, but that
Submitted by: Sandeep Vij, 77th GOC at ASC, P.U. Chandigarh. March 1-28, 2008
may require activation of a few more nerve cells in the brain, and may also require alteration in many imported practices over several decades. Past Experience World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) claims that early sex education delays the start of sexual activity, reduces sexual activity among young people, and encourages those already sexually active to have safer sex. Researchers have found "no support for the contention that sex education encourages sexual experimentation or increased activity." Back in 1993, a survey of 35 sex education projects conducted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) showed that sex education in schools did not encourage young people to have sex at an earlier age or more frequently. Rather importantly, the survey showed that early sex education delays the start of sexual activity, reduces sexual activity among young people and encourages those already sexually active to have safer sex. Furthermore, the WHO published a review of 1,050 scientific articles on sex education programmes. Researchers found "no support for the contention that sex education encourages sexual experimentation or increased activity. If any effect is observed, almost without exception, it is in the direction of postponed initiation of sexual intercourse and/or effective use of contraception."
Report on Effects of Sex Education on Young People's Sexual Behaviour says, Failure to provide appropriate and timely information misses the opportunity of reducing the unwanted outcomes of unintended pregnancy and transmission of STDs, and is, therefore, in the disservice of our youth." Conclusion In conclusion, I would say that two options of sex education- safe sex and abstinence should be complementary to each other. Abstinence only sex education in itself can not be effective. However, after the comprehensive safe sex education to teenagers, we should emphasize abstinence and mutual monogamy. The abstinence approach should be comprehensive involving not only educators, but also parents, philosophers, religious leaders, medical experts, psychologists, policy makers, media, and community. Philosophers and religious leaders should play crucial role in clarifying our common core values based on our collective conscience, which we all can accept, concerning sexuality, marriage, and family.
Submitted by: Sandeep Vij, 77th GOC at ASC, P.U. Chandigarh. March 1-28, 2008