Introduction of sexuality education lessons as early as elementary-level education does not encourage them to have sex. Instead, it empowers them to make well-informed, healthy, and respectful choices about relationships, sexuality, and emotional and physical health (WHO, 2016).
Integration of a comprehensive, scientifically accurate, and culturally sensitive sexuality education would help increase knowledge and promote understanding of reproductive health which may lead to prevention of STDs and unwanted pregnancies. Second, it can help prevent sexual abuse, violence, and exploitation. Children should be taught as early as possible about body ownership. They should be made aware that their bodies are not just “passive objects” that can be touched without consent and that they have the power to say refuse and say “no”. Third, it can help prevent gender-based violence and discrimination. Sex education not only encompasses topics about sexuality but also includes messages of equality, mutual respect, and non-stereotyped gender roles. Lastly, sexuality education helps removed the ingrained embarrassment, shame, and a sense of taboo imposed by the society which would lead to normalization of sexual and reproductive issues facing the youth today.
Here in our country, the Department of Education has implemented a Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in Regions 1, 7, and 11 as they have the highest rate of teen pregnancy. However, being a predominantly Catholic country, there is still an ongoing stigma and opposition among the majority on the provision of sexuality education as they fear that it may corrupt their moral standing and engage more in sexual activities. In addition, the government has still not addressed the long-overdue issue of education crisis in the country. Therefore, for these reasons, I do not see sexuality education being implemented in my locality in the near future.
References:
Joven, J. (2021). Do we actually have sex ed in Philippine schools? CNN Philippines. Retrieved September 3, 2022, from https://www.cnnphilippines.com/life/culture/Education/2021/11/5/sex-education-philippine-schools.html
Mijatovic, D. (2020). Comprehensive sexuality education protects children and helps build a safer, inclusive society. Council of Europe Portal. Retrieved September 3, 2022, from https://www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/-/comprehensive-sexuality-education-protects-children-and-helps-build-a-safer-inclusive-society#:~:text=The%20benefits%20of%20sexuality%20education,sexual%20violence%20and%20sexual%20exploitation.
Rahmani A, Merghati-Khoei E, Fallahi A. Perceived Advantages and Disadvantages of Sex Education in Young Women: A Qualitative Study. Int J High Risk Behav Addict. 2018;7(2):e57221. doi: 10.5812/ijhrba.57221.
Room, H. (n.d.). Sex Education Should Start in the Early Years. teachwire. Retrieved September 3, 2022, from https://www.teachwire.net/news/sex-education-should-start-in-the-early-years/
WHO (2016). Sexuality Education. euro.who.int. Retrieved September 3, 2022, from https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/379043/Sexuality_education_Policy_brief_No_1.pdf