India 360: Sex education, a taboo?

TABOO TALK? The panel felt sex education was essential but not from a young age.

      

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Rajdeep Sardesai

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Keywords: Schools, Government, Ban, Karnataka

“We should have books written by competent people who have an understanding in child psychology and it should be taught by the right kind of people,” Rao said.

But does that mean that it should be sanitised and presented in a clinical fashion?

Rao disagreed and said the aim was “to tell children about the consequences of illicit sex, and not look at the erotic part of it.”

Right content, right teachers

All over the world sex education is seen as an intrinsic part of public health. As the threat of AIDS looms large al over the world children are encouraged to know about use of condoms, disease. Is the Indian mentality un-necessarily prudish? And how should a conservative country like India react to a challenge like sex education?

What is the basis of differentiation between a child who is 10 years old and that of 13 if they are both seeing the same things on TV and the Internet?

“It is a matter of understanding. Why do we have French Revolution in Class IX and not earlier. The curriculum should have a medical aspect to it.” Avhad said.

But considering there is also an ugly reality that a number of children are victims of abuse and harassment. Shouldn’t they be adequately empowered with knowledge to deal with situations like that?

“The mistake which going to be committed was that the teachers who didn’t know anything about sex education were going to teach it. I think it’s important to have teachers who know what the subject means,” Avhad said.

But does that mean that we are still being a little fearful about sex – that it requires a specialist technicians otherwise all children will become sex maniacs. Why can’t it be communicated as any other normal subject?

“You want physics to be taught by a person who is knows physics, same goes for history and literature. But you think sex education can be taught by anyone without even understanding the psychology of students,” Rao said.

He added, “It’s not the question of me being scared but essentially that children understand what is being taught and it is put in perspective. It should not arouse their sexual instincts.”

Final Comments

One of the viewers pointed out that exposure is greater today so schools should start teaching sex education from a younger age.

“I agree with that. But it should be taught by teachers who are well versed in this subject and are able to explain it to the children properly,” Avhad said.

But is there still a culture of fear and anxiety related to sex? Are we still giving too much importance to sex?

“Let me make it very clear that sex education is very important. But it has to be taught by competent people. The textbooks emphasizes on wrong things,” Rao said.

Meanwhile, the existence of AIDS has given a new sense of urgency to the topic of sex education. But if the matter isn't addressed quickly for another generation, sex could be an issue that's discussed only in the dark.

Results of the SMS poll:

Should sex education be taught as a subject in schools?

Yes: 89 per cent

No: 11 per cent