Sudirman Nasir,
Makassar | Education | Opinion
Despite our shock at the recent report of sexual abuse against a kindergarten student allegedly perpetrated by outsourced cleaning staff at the Jakarta International School (JIS) in South Jakarta, the case could unfortunately be merely the tip of the iceberg, as there could be many other such unreported incidents across the country. This reveals the urgent need for safer environments and more supportive schools, including by initiating sex education at school and at home — where children spend most of their time.
Regardless of research
on the benefits of starting sex education at an early age, and definitely
before puberty, we must also realize the numerous barriers to providing
sustainable sex education to young people.
Taboos, myths and
misunderstandings related to sexuality and sex frequently hinder many parents
and teachers in discussing these topics in a constructive way; many are not
comfortable and not well-equipped to talk about such issues with young people.
Worse, high
ranking officials, religious leaders and community leaders share misinformation
regarding sex education and express their objections to wider sex education,
particularly in schools. Education and Culture Minister Muhammad Nuh has said
that children do not need formal sex education as they learn such information
naturally. Such a response denies children, adolescents and young people their
right to adequate information, knowledge and a healthy environment — including
the skills to protect themselves from sexual abuse.
Of course, there are
also researchers and activists who have proposed a more mature approach,
including the urgent need for earlier, wider and more comprehensive sex
education, to equip children and adolescents with relevant information about
sex, sexuality, reproduction and relationships. Numerous studies have shown
that early and comprehensive education on these issues positively impacts young
people.
Such education prepares
and better equips children, adolescents and young people to grow healthily and
responsibly as well as reducing the harmful consequences of rampant myths and
misconceptions related to sex and sexuality, such as sexual abuse, teen
pregnancy, unwanted and unplanned pregnancies and the spread of sexually
transmitted infections.
The fact that ignorance
and misconceptions about sex and sex education are still prevalent in our
society and among our officials, religious and community leaders, parents and
teachers indicates the need for more intensive advocacy programs for sex,
sexuality and reproductive health issues by public health and social
researchers, medical practitioners, activists, community organizations and mass
media.
In the home, it is
vital that we learn about these topics and equip ourselves with sufficient
knowledge and skills to start sex education early for our children. We should
realize that the first time a parent names parts of the body correctly,
including the genitals, with a toddler or preschooler, sex education has
actually begun. We can also begin when our young children ask what can be
profound and sometimes difficult-to-answer questions like “Where did I come
from?” and “Why is my body different from your body?”.
Additionally, many
health experts believe that the earlier we start talking with our children about
sexuality, even our very youngest, the better. Experts believe this will
increase our opportunities to continue discussions about sexual issues with
them throughout puberty and adolescence. Furthermore, it is important for
parents and teachers to provide books, pictures and other practical tools for
children to better understand their bodies and important health issues related
to sexuality and privacy.
Today, there are many
good books available for children and teenagers about sexuality, which can help
parents and teachers to figure out the information that children need at every
age and stage, and can give adults the language they require to talk to with
their children about this complicated issue.
Sharing books with
young children, or letting older children read them independently, often leads
to questions and valuable conversations about sexual health.
Moreover, books written
for children and teens are a useful way to discuss this issue directly,
honestly and in an age-appropriate way, and to give young people
straightforward and accurate information. This is important to enable our
children to grow up healthily, including giving them the ability to protect
themselves from sexual abuse.
The writer is a
lecturer at the Faculty of Public Health at Hasanuddin University, Makassar.
Source : http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/04/27/start-sex-education-early-home-and-school.html
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