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Why is sex education such a taboo subject?
There is a traditional contradiction in our society with the word 'sex'. Generally, sexual health education should be taught from the age of 10 to 11 years. In many countries around the world, children are given 'sex education' from an early age, but India is an exception. Talking about this matter in our country is also considered as a kind of injustice.
Let's take a little 'sexual education', what does this subject actually mean? Sex education focuses on human sexuality, through which topics related to human sexuality are taught, including emotional relationships and responsibility, sexual behavior, sexual reproduction, age of consent, reproductive health, reproductive rights, safe sex, birth control, and sexual intimacy. Sex education teaches a person about responsibility, sexual activity, proper age, fertility, birth control, sexual abstinence etc.
As there is no opportunity to openly discuss about periods, females suffer from physical ailments as well as mental ailments at various times. Besides, seeing the shyness of the people around them, they isolate themselves during their periods and suffer from depression. Even while puberty brings about changes in both boys and girls, in our nation, women's issues are particularly secret. There are a lot of topics covered during the evening tea discussion at home, but nothing about it is brought up. It feels unfair to discuss sexual matters.
So what's the way?
In our country, discussing sexual health is frowned upon by all. Hearing the word 'sex', most of the people in the society bow their heads. But now it's time to raise your head. That's when the shyness will go down. Families, educational institutions, and society at large should shoulder this duty.
• Let the family be the starting point
Perhaps you're thinking that discussing sex education with your child is inappropriate. This is a highly confidential topic. The same is evident in the way you are acting. This makes your child rather scared. Sometimes guilt works in them and they make wrong decisions and step on wrong directions. Sex education should start from the family. Sex education should be openly discussed. What is sexual intercourse? Adolescents should be sensitized at an early age on the dangers of sex, birth control, conception, abortion and of course sexually transmitted diseases. Crimes like rape are born out of ignorance about these things. The family should also make them aware of their own body. So that they understand what is a good touch and what is a bad touch. Also what is the definition of sexual assault or rape? They should be taught that too. If the matter of sex education can be ensured from the initial stage, it is possible to keep the teenagers away from many criminal activities. In order to initiate sex education at home, parents have to play the most important role. And that is why it is most necessary to create an easy relationship with the child. So that the child can talk about any subject without hesitation. Parents must mingle with them as friends.
• Let the educational institutions and society come forward
After a certain age, all boys and girls need to know about sexual health. In various countries, education is provided in this regard from the primary stage, but it is still out of reach in our country. Even in our country, there are sections on sex education in various classes at the secondary level, but in most cases the teachers skip the section on sexual health. Even if ideas are given from the family, the teachers have to take the responsibility of informing them about it. Although there are some conscious families in our country, especially in rural areas, students do not get much support from their families. In this case, the teachers have to explain to the students what 'sex education' actually is? Why is this important for us to know? Primarily, it is important for everyone of us to be socially conscious. So that we can easily break the taboos related to 'sex education' in the society.
Above all, to get over the stigma associated with "sex education," there should be an open discussion about sex and its education. This will increase awareness among people. Not only education, modernity, fashion and clothing should be progressed along with it, sex education should also be progressed. Therefore, it's time to get over your timidity and move forward.
© Dr. Tulika Sarkar
Let's take a little 'sexual education', what does this subject actually mean? Sex education focuses on human sexuality, through which topics related to human sexuality are taught, including emotional relationships and responsibility, sexual behavior, sexual reproduction, age of consent, reproductive health, reproductive rights, safe sex, birth control, and sexual intimacy. Sex education teaches a person about responsibility, sexual activity, proper age, fertility, birth control, sexual abstinence etc.
As there is no opportunity to openly discuss about periods, females suffer from physical ailments as well as mental ailments at various times. Besides, seeing the shyness of the people around them, they isolate themselves during their periods and suffer from depression. Even while puberty brings about changes in both boys and girls, in our nation, women's issues are particularly secret. There are a lot of topics covered during the evening tea discussion at home, but nothing about it is brought up. It feels unfair to discuss sexual matters.
So what's the way?
In our country, discussing sexual health is frowned upon by all. Hearing the word 'sex', most of the people in the society bow their heads. But now it's time to raise your head. That's when the shyness will go down. Families, educational institutions, and society at large should shoulder this duty.
• Let the family be the starting point
Perhaps you're thinking that discussing sex education with your child is inappropriate. This is a highly confidential topic. The same is evident in the way you are acting. This makes your child rather scared. Sometimes guilt works in them and they make wrong decisions and step on wrong directions. Sex education should start from the family. Sex education should be openly discussed. What is sexual intercourse? Adolescents should be sensitized at an early age on the dangers of sex, birth control, conception, abortion and of course sexually transmitted diseases. Crimes like rape are born out of ignorance about these things. The family should also make them aware of their own body. So that they understand what is a good touch and what is a bad touch. Also what is the definition of sexual assault or rape? They should be taught that too. If the matter of sex education can be ensured from the initial stage, it is possible to keep the teenagers away from many criminal activities. In order to initiate sex education at home, parents have to play the most important role. And that is why it is most necessary to create an easy relationship with the child. So that the child can talk about any subject without hesitation. Parents must mingle with them as friends.
• Let the educational institutions and society come forward
After a certain age, all boys and girls need to know about sexual health. In various countries, education is provided in this regard from the primary stage, but it is still out of reach in our country. Even in our country, there are sections on sex education in various classes at the secondary level, but in most cases the teachers skip the section on sexual health. Even if ideas are given from the family, the teachers have to take the responsibility of informing them about it. Although there are some conscious families in our country, especially in rural areas, students do not get much support from their families. In this case, the teachers have to explain to the students what 'sex education' actually is? Why is this important for us to know? Primarily, it is important for everyone of us to be socially conscious. So that we can easily break the taboos related to 'sex education' in the society.
Above all, to get over the stigma associated with "sex education," there should be an open discussion about sex and its education. This will increase awareness among people. Not only education, modernity, fashion and clothing should be progressed along with it, sex education should also be progressed. Therefore, it's time to get over your timidity and move forward.
© Dr. Tulika Sarkar
