The most uncomfortable discussion...Still??

Every morning I open the newspaper to a minimum of 2 sexual assault articles in some part of the world and occasionally an article about sex education. I do not want to talk about the former mainly because it is very disturbing and demonic and it would make this blog look very dark.

I have been hearing about sex education in school for more than 10 years now. I never had one in school though and the closest to this topic we had was a session of menstruation and how babies are born (where the intercourse part was cleverly excluded). This session was specially arranged by the school where girls of 6^th to 9^th grade were asked to attend. Since, the Biology teachers were shy and I still cannot imagine why they have to be in front of a bunch of silly girls, a doctor was invited to talk. It was definitely an educative session and I felt the school did an excellent job of getting a doctor to explain the process. But what I cannot forget was the atmosphere created by the teachers – I recollect how everybody looked grave and were staring at each one of us. Some of us had the jitters and we felt we were going to be beheaded.

I do not want to generalise all the teachers or parents in this world – but I strongly feel that the parents and teachers need to relax some of their muscles and not make a big deal about sex education where they scare the hell out of the children. They manipulate the children’s mind in getting them to think it’s a taboo and a topic which cannot be breached upon. Even today, not all parents are comfortable in talking about this to their children. Quick glances are exchanged, unnecessary clearing of throat, sudden recollection of something important and hence, disappearance act are some of the common reactions from parents when children pose any sex related question. It is totally unfair to blame the parents because they would be in a dilemma on how much detail to disclose without blemishing the child’s innocence. But is a child’s innocence stained when they know about sex?  

I am no psychologist or counsellor to give tips or advice on how to educate your child on sex, but it would be easy if we start to look at the forbidden word in a new light. It is definitely not shameful and it is the nature’s way of procreation. The concept of right and wrong can be broadly explained only until the children reach a certain age – which would obviously be what the parent’s think is right or wrong. It is essential, however, to teach the children to think on their own to make the right decision – giving them the freedom to make the right choice. It is important to have sex education in all schools. It is very important to educate the children at a very young age about their body and the ‘good touch’ and the ‘bad touch’. The world is most certainly not a safe place and it is not an easy task to have the children under our wings all the time. Hence, be aware and be approachable to not just your child but others’ as well.