Need For Sex Education-Views of Young People

In 1993, a survey of 35 sex education projects conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) show cased that sex education in schools did not encourage young people to have sex at an early age. It showed that early sex education delays the initiation of sexual activity, reduces it among young people and encourages those already sexually active to have safer sex.

CHETNA team during the National Youth Festival celebration interviewed 95 young people on their views on need for sexuality education for adolescents.

Understanding of the term ‘Sex’ and sexuality

Out of the total respondents 17% young people did not respond to the questions related to sexuality. Out of the young people who shared their views about the meaning of sexuality 68% were precise in explaining the term sexuality. They referred to sexuality as: the ways in which a person experiences and expresses oneself as a sexual being. About 34% male respondents were misinformed about the meaning of sexuality. According to them the term sexuality is linked with rape, sexual intercourse and pornography.

Source of Information

According to the respondents, the access to information about sexuality is mainly from Non-government Organizations, school teachers, friends and books/study material available to them. Other sources according to them are TV, Magazines, Newspapers and Internet. Very few mentioned family members as a source of information on sexuality.

Appropriate Age Group for Imparting Sexuality Education

Approximately 47% of the respondents of the study also suggested that  13-15 years is the right age to impart sex education. 33% suggested that the initiation of sex education should be after the age of 15 years.

Opinion on need for sex education:

Among the respondents, 80% expressed the need for sexuality education for children while 20% respondents negated the need. A broad Range of reasons was given for the need to impart sexuality education to adolescents. Some of them are-

• To provide correct information about the biological changes taking place during adolescent phase.

• Provide counselling to cope up with physical and mental changes

• Equip adolescents so that they can take care of their sexual and reproductive health

• Provide information among adolescents about safe sex

• Equip adolescents with information on HIV/AIDS

• Reduce abortion rate

• Enhance life skills

The views of these adolescents need to be acknowledged as a considerable number of children in our country are sexually abused. The report on child abuse released by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in 2007 also brings forward the fact that 53.2% children are sexually abused and majority of the victims do not dare to report. This can be avoided if children are made aware of their bodies, of differentiating between a good and a bad touch.

For further details please contact: Ms. Pallavi Patel, CHETNA

HUM TUM, a Guidebook for Young People in Hindi Language

This guidebook is developed by CHETNA for peer educators to support them to discuss health and development concerns of young people.

Hum Tum addresses the needs of young people for information on various aspects of life. The aim is to demystify the areas which are puzzling for them during the process of attaining adulthood. The subjects covered are- physical, mental and emotional changes, communication, friendship, marriage, sexuality, pregnancy and parenthood, gender and violence etc. The book will provide an opportunity to young people to reflect, analyse and think about their concerns and possible solutions.