Introduction of sexuality education lessons in public elementary and high schools
It has been determined by various research that young people, particularly adolescents, are at the stage of being naturally curious about a variety of things including sexual relationships and sexual explorations. Needless to say, the decisions they make about relationships, sexuality, and sexual behaviors can have a long-term impact on their health and well-being. As such, providing comprehensive and developmentally appropriate sexual health education during this stage of curiosity is essential to equip the youth with the necessary knowledge and skills that would help them take personal responsibility for their health and make healthy, informed decisions regarding sex and their sexual health.
Integrating sexuality education lessons in schools was deemed to have several benefits. It primarily helps students avoid negative health consequences such as unintended pregnancies and transmission of HIV and STDs as it emphasizes on topics of reproductive health and the importance of contraceptive use and, especially, abstinence. Comprehensive sexual health education, however, teaches students more than just the fundamentals of puberty and sexual development. It also helps them understand and differentiate between healthy and unhealthy relationships and instills in them necessary values relating to equality and mutual respect such as having the right to autonomy over their own bodies, respecting other’s right to bodily autonomy, and showing respect to all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. With this in consideration, sexuality education also helps in the prevention of sexual abuse, violence, unhealthy relationships, and gender-based discrimination among the youth.
In the Philippines, efforts to implement sexuality education are evident as the Department of Health has designed a Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSW) curriculum that corresponds to the current grade levels in the K to 12 Enhanced Basic Education. As this policy is relatively recent, I have not personally seen sexuality education being implemented as the policy directs. Furthermore, barriers to effective implementation exist especially since the Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country where many, including parents and instructors alike, do not necessarily agree with the idea of openly discussing topics relating to sex and sexual health due to the stigma revolving around it. Nonetheless, I believe that such efforts are promising not only in delivering its goals of implementation, but also in nurturing a well-informed society through the youth.
References:
Bridges, E. & Hauser, D. (2018, November 9). Sexuality Education. Advocates for Youth. Retrieved from https://www.advocatesforyouth.org/resources/fact-sheets/sexuality-education-2/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). What Works: Sexual Health Education | Adolescent and School Health. CDC. Retrieved September from https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/whatworks/what-works-sexual-health-education.htm
Department of Health. (2018). Policy Guidelines on the Implementation of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education. DOH. Retrieved from https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DO_s2018_031-1.pdf
Republic of the Philippines Region X. (2019, June 7). Comprehensive Sexuality Education: A Must in School Curriculum. GOH.PH. Retrieved from https://rpo10.popcom.gov.ph/comprehensive-sexuality-education-a-must-in-school-curriculum/