Sexual Education Beyond Sex

Written by: Jana

In a situation where a teenage girl gives birth to a child despite being a child herself, on whom do we pin the blame? Do we blame the girl and her partner for engaging in sexual activities that led to her pregnancy? Or her family for not educating and disciplining her enough?

According to the National Youth Study (NYAS) of 2010 by the National Youth Commission (NYC), youth explore romantic relationships early. Almost 75% of 15- to 17-year-olds are already looking for romantic partners to whom 37% of this age group believe that early sexual encounters should be acceptable in society. These perceptions affect their attitude towards sexual relations leading to early sexual debuts among the youth.

Pregnant teenagers face the same pregnancy issues as other women. Still, there are additional risks to consider when you’re a mother-to-be under the age of 15 when your body is less likely to be physically developed to sustain a healthy pregnancy or give birth (Mayor, 2004). Some risks include pregnancy-related complications, limited social mobility, stunted development, and maternal mortality, which is high among teen mothers, not to mention the social stigma and discrimination of becoming a teenage parent. So how do we prevent the occurrence of such situations? Educational interventions and access to birth control are the keys to reducing unintended teenage pregnancies (Oringanje et al., 2016; UNESCO, 2018).

Sexual education is the instruction and guidance on a wide variety of topics related to sex and sexuality. It explores the different values and beliefs regarding the subject and helps gain the necessary skills to navigate relationships and manage one’s sexual health properly. Many young students pick up information on sexual health from sources other than school: parents, peers, medical professionals, and the internet. Searching for articles on the internet is an easy act, but not all information may be factual, meaning they may be inaccurate or biased.

Society frowns upon sexual acts due to the conservative mindset prevalent among the general population. Children are reluctant to approach their parents regarding sexual issues as most parents discourage such conversations. Studies show that when sex education is comprehensive, students feel more informed, make safer choices and have healthier outcomes — resulting in fewer unplanned pregnancies and more protection against sexually transmitted diseases and infections (Hall et al., 2016). Moreover, it helps keep them informed and allows them to delay engaging in sexual activities later.

The Reproductive Health (RH) Law, also known as the Republic Act 10354 or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, was enacted in 2012, providing universal access to contraception methods and fertility control, sexual education, and maternal care in the Philippines. This is in response to maternal mortality, child mortality, teenage pregnancies, and the rise of HIV/AIDS cases in the country. Under the RH Law, the curriculum for primary to secondary education includes sexual education to raise awareness on issues concerning sexual relationships. The curriculum discusses responsible parenthood and proper family planning to prepare the youth for the future.

People grow, and so do their values and perceptions evolve through time as society does. The perception of the current generation on specific issues may differ from those of the previous ones. Education is essential as it helps effectively facilitate a person’s participation in society. It is not limited to the academic curriculum presented in schools; it also helps in shaping a person to become a well-rounded individual.

Sexual education aims to inform the youth on topics regarding sex, sexuality, and physical development. Proper education can better prevent STDs and unwanted pregnancies. Furthermore, it helps decrease the risks of having unsafe sex and teaches the youth responsible family planning. Conservative traditions bind us; therefore, sex education will remain a controversial topic in the Philippines. Nevertheless, discussions can further develop through healthy conservations as the peoples’ perceptions continue to evolve.

REFERENCES:

admin. (2014, September 6). Teen Pregnancy in the Philippines: Rising and Alarming. Philippine Human Rights Information Center. https://www.philrights.org/teen-pregnancy-in-ph-rising-and-alarming/

‌Hall, K. S., McDermott Sales, J., Komro, K. A., & Santelli, J. (2016). The State of Sex Education in the United States. Journal of Adolescent Health, 58(6), 595–597. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.03.032

Mayor, S. (2004). Pregnancy and childbirth are leading causes of death in teenage girls in developing countries. BMJ, 328(7449), 1152.2. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.328.7449.1152-a

‌MedlinePlus. (2021). Teenage Pregnancy. Medlineplus.gov; National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/teenagepregnancy.html

‌Oringanje, C., Meremikwu, M. M., Eko, H., Esu, E., Meremikwu, A., & Ehiri, J. E. (2016). Interventions for preventing unintended pregnancies among adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. doi:10.1002/14651858.cd005215.pub3

Paris: UNESCO. (2018). International technical guidance on sexuality education: An evidence-informed approach. p. 18. ISBN 978–92–3–100259–5.

Randolph, K. (2020, December 15). Sex Education in the Philippines — The Borgen Project. The Borgen Project. https://borgenproject.org/sex-education-in-the-philippines/