Sex Ed and its need to be included in the school curriculum.

I recall an interesting conversation I had a few months ago, on board the train, with an Italian teacher. We talked about the challenges that him and I faced in the classrooms. Amidst the imprudent reliance on the internet, extensive video gaming, excessive use of smartphones in classroom; there was one thing that left me aghast and speechless. 

He mentioned that one of his student was in a juvenile rehabilitation centre, for attempted murder. I was shocked, beyond my wits. What follows, will both amuse and disturb you.

The kid and his girlfriend were spending the night together. At that tender age, you're overwhelmed with a myriad of emotions. You feel excitement, nervousness, trying to seek intimacy. Too young, too silly to know what and how. To avoid being shamed by friends and family, you seek the help of the internet for guidance. 

This was exactly what the kid did. Little knowing about the world of fetishes that exist on the internet, he thought that was the way to go about it. He almost choked the girl to death. She was unconscious for a couple of days and he was inconsolable. One certainly cannot blame the kid for what he did. It was and is no time to play the blame game. The time is ripe to speak about the importance of Sex Education at the home front, as well as by the educational institutions. 

Now, third world countries, say; India is infamous for the irony of introducing the world to 'The Kamasutra' and considering 'the talk' as shameful and not acknowledging the importance to imparting Sex Education to their kids. They'd rather switch the channel if a Condom Ad were to pop up on the television. Who are we kidding right now? A country with a population of 1.33 Billion, not talking about something they keep doing?  Let's just do away with the hypocrisy, people! 

Even UNESCO has recognized the importance of comprehensive sexuality education. 

According to their website:

' Comprehensive sexuality education is a curriculum-based process of teaching and learning about the cognitive, emotional, physical and social aspects of sexuality. It aims to equip children and young people with knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that will empower them to realize their health, well-being and dignity; develop respectful social and sexual relationships; consider how their choices affect their own well-being and that of others; and understand and ensure the protection of their rights throughout their lives. '

The importance of adding Sex Ed module in schools and colleges:

1. Understanding and respecting what sexual preference is. 

Sexual preference  may be termed as one's choice of romantic interest or a certain sexual attraction to the opposite gender, the same gender, or to more than one gender, or to no gender at all. As years have passed by, we've lead to the discovery of various kinds of sexual orientations, all of which are okay. All of which are valid. 

You can be a heterosexual, homosexual, asexual, pansexual, bisexual, demisexual or a sapiosexual and the list is endless. What's more important is to understand that heterosexuality isn't a benchmark. It's 2020, there is literally no reason to question someone's sexual preference, least to say, make a joke about it. 

2. Promoting a healthy attitude towards sexuality and building self confidence. 

We know how it was when puberty hit us. Every little thing that we see and read may tend to get sexualized, awkwardness would soon follow suit. Those emotional and physiological changes that a child feels, must be acknowledged and validated. To be made to feel ashamed for having those feelings or  having had the urge to experiment with one's own body, is an unhealthy mental attitude. Teenage is a crucial time for building tremendous self confidence and raising ones self esteem.

3.Acknowledging gender inequalities & gender based violence.

Gender-based violence is a phenomenon deeply rooted in gender inequality, and is one of the most notable human rights violation. Through sex ed, the concept of consent, consequences of non consensual acts can be brought to attention. It may also help in curbing rape and physical abuse. Topics such as gender discrimination, gender role expectations, gender stereotypes, or based on the differential power status linked to gender can be discussed more freely in order to sensitize kids towards all the genders. 

4. Coming to terms with unwanted pregnancies and STDs. 

According to the WHO:

' At least 10 million unintended pregnancies occur each year among adolescent girls aged 15–19 years in the developing world. Complications during pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death for 15–19-year-old girls globally. Of the estimated 5.6 million abortions that occur each year among adolescent girls aged 15–19 years, 3.9 million are unsafe, contributing to maternal mortality, morbidity and lasting health problems. '

The top reason why this happens is lack of information about sexual and reproductive health and rights. A child must not suffer this way, simply because they were unaware of the dire consequences. For those of you who think that this is some BS and a person must face the aftemath of having unprotected sex, Let me just add in many countries, societies, a girl getting birth control or buying a condom is much more than just frowned upon. It's just sad, but it is what it is. Again; the shame and to avoid that humiliation they may not muster up enough courage to get one for themselves. Not just girls, boys go through the same humiliation. Sometimes they're even coerced into doing stuff by their 'older and experienced' friends, " Who uses a condom dude, it just messes up the entire experience. "

5. Awareness about the need for maintaining sexual and reproductive health. 

Sexual health focusses at all of the factors which influence sexual function and reproduction. These include a variety of physical, mental, and emotional factors.

Sexual health disorders include things like Infertility, Gynaecological problems,PIDs, PMS, UTI, STDs  to concerns regarding "normal" or acceptable sexual behavior and lifestyles, birth control. 

Just as a flu, a cardiac disorder, an appendicitis needs to be fixed, similarly reproductive and sexual health disorders need to be dealt with urgency. 

Basic intimate hygiene procedure and its need can also be discussed with them, so as to help them lead healthier lives. 

It better be you, talking to your child and giving him 'the talk', rather than he/she looking at the humongous amount of information available over the internet and getting it all wrong. 

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Sources: 

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-pregnancy

https://en.unesco.org/news/why-comprehensive-sexuality-education-important

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.osce.org/odihr/427448%3Fdownload%3Dtrue&ved=2ahUKEwjNv-nY39_pAhUUU30KHf6GC4MQFjAJegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw3YZhc5ZHaFXK4ePLaqOSbW&cshid=159098517546

Pictures:

http://mathare.org/pamoja-initiative/

https://www.seventeen.com/health/sex-health/a46079/sex-education-for-teenagers/

https://lasvegasweekly.com/as-we-see-it/2015/oct/14/students-aclu-call-out-deficiencies-ccsd-sex-ed/