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Sexuality Education for Children and Adolescents

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The goal of this blog post, "Sexuality Education for Children and Adolescents," is to give the learner a fundamental grasp of the state of sex education for children and adolescents in India today. The learner also gains insight into the function of various governmental agencies established for this goal, as well as the role played by the United Nations in promoting sex education and the results of its efforts.

Content

  1. Introduction
  2. Need for Sexuality Education
  3. Content of Sexuality Education
  4. Sexuality Education in India
  5. The Effects of Sexuality Education on Society
  6. Conclusion

 Introduction

Since gaining its independence, India has been able to raise its level of living and enhance children's nutrition. As a result, physical development, menarche, and spermarche have begun sooner. Consequently, kids start having sexual experiences at a young age. Children are prevented from querying their parents about the physical and hormonal changes occurring in their body because of the taboo that still surrounds the concept of "sex" in Indian society. Schools are reluctant to share this important information as well. The chance to reduce unintended pregnancies and the spread of STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases), including HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), is lost when proper and timely information is not provided. Children are engaging in sexual activity at a significantly younger age due to a variety of other causes, including a shift in society's attitudes toward premarital sex and easier access to such knowledge in the media. In some Indian areas, like Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, child marriages are common. This contributes to teen pregnancies. Science-based information on sexual development and healthy sexual relationships is being withheld from children. This gap should raise some red flags. Through sexuality education, it is important to inform children about the many sexual abuses to which they are subjected.

Target of Sexual Education

What is the "appropriate" age to introduce sexual information to a youngster is one of the most crucial topics. The answer to this question is when a child first comes into regular contact with strangers or people other than his or her parents, which is typically when a child begins pre-school. Any person should teach a child like this the difference between "good touch" and "bad touch." In this sense, it may be claimed that teaching children about sex at a young age is important for preventing child abuse, violence, and other crimes against children.

The term ‘Sex Education’, also known as sexuality education or sex and relationships education, however is widely used to depict education about reproductive system, sexual interaction and other facets of human sexual behavior. It is the procedure of gaining knowledge and developing mind-set as well as ideas about sex, sexual identity, human relations, closeness, gender roles, contraception methods and prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD).This information should be imparted generally during the age 10-19 years or also known as the phase of “adolescence”. WHO (World Health Organization) defines adolescence as the period in human growth and development that occurs after childhood and before adulthood, from ages 10 to19 (WHO,2013).

Need for Sexuality Education

Given our cultural setting and the changes in our society, sexual education is crucial for our country's youth. There are several issues that need to be addressed: the prevalence of child marriage, which leads to teenage pregnancies; the family's continued reluctance to openly discuss sex; the degree to which children are exposed to sexual content on the internet and television; and children's innate curiosity about sex. The most important requirement for living a secure existence is sexual awareness. Normal educational procedures are fairly easy to master, but sex education cannot be seen along the same lines. Particularly when we consider adding it as a component of academic curricula, it includes physiological, psychological, and social difficulties. For critical thinking and making well-informed decisions, information is essential. When presented with very alluring circumstances, children and young people can only act responsibly if they have access to accurate information. It would be unfair and discriminatory to prevent children from accessing the information and knowledge that will shape their attitudes and perceptions.
  • 12,247 children and 2324 young people in 13 Indian states were questioned for a study that was commissioned by the Indian Ministry of Women and Children Development and carried out by UNICEF and the non-governmental organization Prayas. According to the survey, a startling 53% of kids between the ages of 5 and 12 had experienced sexual abuse (Sood & Prateek, 2008).
  • According to a research by the All India Educational and Vocation Guidance Institute, between 42% and 52% of Indian teenage students believe they do not know enough about sex. Nearly half of the young people interviewed in a recent study by India Today, a renowned news publication, in 11 Indian cities, did not know enough to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS (Sood & Prateek, 2008).
  • In their daily lives, kids and teens come across a lot of suggestive and titillating situations. The media is rife with exposes, and the internet provides answers to many of the questions that come up in a child's thinking. However, the majority of the time, it turns out to be inaccurate data. Children must get sexuality education in order to understand the physical and hormonal changes occurring in their bodies as well as how to protect themselves from STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) and unintended pregnancies.
  • Despite being outlawed in our nation, child marriage is still practiced in some Indian states, including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and some regions of Bihar. This causes kids to begin having sexual activity at a young age. Given these situations, sexuality education becomes even more crucial.
  • Because "sex" is still viewed as taboo and stigmatized in our society, sexuality education is also necessary today. Because they are not encouraged to do so, both at home and in school, children engage in risky experiments that can result in STDs and unintended pregnancies. According to studies, sexuality education helps kids make the right choices in seductive circumstances.

Content of Sexuality Education

According to the International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education published by the UN, children up to the age of 18 must receive instruction on the fundamental subjects of sexual education. It is intended at decision-makers and experts in the education and health sectors and is based on a thorough examination of the data about sexuality education programs. The following are the subjects that are covered in it:
  • Information: Education in sexuality offers accurate information about human sexuality, including growth and development, sexual anatomy and physiology, reproduction, contraception, pregnancy and childbirth, HIV and AIDS, STIs, family life and interpersonal relationships, culture and sexuality, human rights empowerment, non-discrimination, equality and gender roles, sexual behavior, sexual diversity, sexual abuse, gender-based violence, and harmful practices.
  • Values, attitudes, and social norms: Through sexuality education, students have the chance to examine their own, family's, peers', and the community's values, attitudes, and norms (in relation to sexual behavior, health, risk-taking, and decision-making), while also taking into account the values of tolerance, respect, gender equality, human rights, and equality.
  • Relationship and interpersonal skills: Education about sexuality encourages the development of abilities related to decision-making, assertiveness, communication, negotiation, and refusal. Better and more fruitful relationships with family, friends, peers, and romantic or sexual partners can result from having these talents.
  • Responsibility: sexuality education encourages students to assume responsibility for their own behaviour as well as their behaviour towards other people through respect; acceptance; tolerance and empathy for all people regardless of their health status or sexual orientation. Sexuality education also insists on gender equality; resisting early, unwanted or coerced sex and rejecting violence in relationships; and the practice of safer sex, including the correct and consistent use of condoms and contraceptives. (WHO, 2009)

Sexuality Education in India

In India, the dissemination of sex education has been seen negatively by the country's general society. There have been discussions about whether or not sex education should be taught, as well as at what age. These are typical queries that come up whenever the subject of sex education in India is brought up. Sex education should not be taught in schools and should only be presented at the plus two level, according to a 2009 recommendation made by a legislative committee chaired by Mr. M. Venkiah Naidu. The committee itself rejected a power point presentation on the issue because it thought it was too explicit and may offend the committee's female members. This demonstrates the challenges that India has in delivering sex education. The administration is, however, bringing about adjustments. An education module on sex education should be incorporated in school curricula to sensitize young children about sexual offenses, according to a 2011 recommendation made by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resources Development, which examined the Sexual Offenses Bill. Keeping this in mind, a 16-hour manual on elements of sex education for kids will be presented as part of the program in schools. It will include topics such as adolescence, sexually transmitted illnesses, awareness of AIDS, and other difficulties. According to representatives of the Department of State Education, Research, and Training, an unique training program will be organized for teachers to give them the tools they need to effectively implement the program.

Sex Education through the School System

In India, there are numerous curriculum bodies that make up its educational system. Some of the well-known educational streams are the state government boards, the Central Board of Secondary Education, The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, The National Institute of Open Schooling, International Schools, etc. According to Dutta (2013), the current state of sex education in various formal educational institutions is as follows: "Sex education programs are focused on the biological components of sex and have separate classes for boys and girls. They often start when kids are in the sixth grade. Premarital sex is a taboo subject, and kids are given horror stories about how it could result in abortion, which is extremely harmful to the body, and that the only solution is abstinence. In government schools, biology professors frequently also serve as sex educators because there are no counselors available for kids to talk to about their worries. Only HIV/AIDS and unintended pregnancies are discussed elsewhere. Additionally, not all kids attend school. Therefore, if sexuality education is only offered in schools, youngsters outside of the educational system will be denied access to this information.

Indian Organizations Involved in Sex Education

Even though there are differing opinions on sex education in India, the government has taken some action to support it, most notably through the Adolescence Education Program. The following are the government nodal agencies active in this area:

1. The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) recognizes the potential of young people and invests in initiatives and partnerships to create and strengthen opportunities for young people to realize better life options. It introduced the Adolescence Education Programme which is described below: Adolescence Education Programme: 

The Adolescence Education Programme (AEP) is an important initiative that aims to empower young people with accurate, age appropriate and culturally relevant information, promote healthy attitudes and develop skills to enable them to respond to real life situations in positive and responsible ways. National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) co-ordinates the program and works through both curricular and co-curricular formats to contribute towards holistic development of young people in pursuance of the National Curriculum Framework, 2005. National Popular Education Programme (NPEP) is being implemented in 30 States and Union Territories. It aims to develop awareness and positive attitude toward population and development issues leading to responsible behavior among students and teachers and, indirectly, among parents and the community at large. Imparting authentic knowledge to learners about Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH) concerns, inculcating positive attitude and developing appropriate life skills for responsible behavior are also the objectives of NPEP.
The AEP aims to support Young People’s Right to: 
  • know about themselves, their adolescence and their sexuality 
  • basic facts on HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) 
  • develop and reinforce life skills that enable them to protect themselves 
  • dispel myths and clarify misconceptions 
  • find ways where they can help fight the HIV epidemic and encourage positive attitudes towards people living with HIV (NACO, 2005).
2. National AIDS Control Organisation : Ministry of Human Resource Development in collaboration with National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) launched the above mentioned Adolescence Education Programmme which is meant for secondary and higher secondary classes with the objective to empower the adolescent population to make informed choices and develop life skills for addressing psychological, social and health concerns (NACO, 2007)

3. Council of Sex Education & Parenthood International: The International Council of Sex Education and Parenthood of the American University, Washington, DC has been registered in India as the Council of Sex Education and Parenthood International (CSEPI). It is committed to provide Sex Education and develop a cadre of experts to teach, train and provide counseling and sex therapy for the problems in adolescence and adulthood (CSEPI, 2012).

4. Voluntary Organizations (NGOs) in the Field of Sex Education: Voluntary Organizations (NGOs) have recently begun to play a significant role in the dissemination of sex education. Helplines have been established to address questions about sex. These efforts initially did not have much success. But over time, teens and even adults now frequently use these helplines to put their fears to rest. One such group is TARSHI (talking about reproductive and sexual health issues). The language used in the newly proposed curriculum is carefully chosen: young people will be taught to develop life skills for avoiding [emphasis added] risky situations. However, very little information is given on how to protect themselves should they choose to take a risk, as well as the specifics of what behaviors are risky and why this is so. This is according to a review of the sexual education provided in the school curriculum in India conducted by this organization. When discussing teenage pregnancies, it is important to note that 20% of married teen girls also become pregnant. The authors probably think that all teenagers who are given the message of abstinence would follow it to the letter, hence unwed pregnancy is virtually ever emphasized (Hartmann, 2008). This organization's evaluation and its helpline service are only two examples of the work being done by several NGOs around the nation to promote sexual education in India.

Role of the United Nations in Introducing Sexuality Education in India 

Since a very long time, the United Nations has been committed to the cause of promoting sexuality education. The first significant attempt in this direction can be referred to as "International Guidelines on Sexuality Education." The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization published it in June 2009 (UNESCO). However, after receiving criticism from a number of UN members, The International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education took their place. The many specialized UN organizations are working toward this goal in India as well. As an example, consider the following:

  • United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): The Division of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development, under the Education Sector, is where UNESCO's work on sexuality education is located. Late in 2007, UNESCO launched a work program on sexuality education. The initiative served primarily as a framework for enhancing efforts to prevent HIV among children and young people. Additionally, it includes more general goals for sexual and reproductive health, like preventing unwanted pregnancies and other STIs. This program places a high premium on non-health outcomes, such as gender equality, and will continue to do so through regional and national programming efforts by UNESCO. Another result of their efforts is the Technical Guidelines stated above (UNESCO, 2013)
  • UNAIDS Inter-Agency Task Team on Education In order to facilitate quicker and better education sector responses to HIV and AIDS, the UNAIDS Inter-Agency Task Team (IATT) on Education was established in 2002. Education helps people develop the knowledge and interpersonal skills needed for HIV prevention and AIDS damage reduction. Education also aids in overcoming other factors, such as poverty, ill health, violence, and abuse, particularly towards girls and women, that contribute to the development of HIV. Beyond this, education can foster the tolerance and understanding that help lessen stigma and discrimination towards HIV-positive persons.
  • United Nations Human Rights Council :The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is the main UN agency tasked with advancing and defending human rights for all. OHCHR is the driving force behind international human rights initiatives and speaks out firmly against human rights abuses everywhere. They serve as the main focal point of human rights research, education, public information, and advocacy efforts within the framework of the United Nations system and offer a venue for recognizing, emphasizing, and creating remedies to today's human rights concerns. This UN body is active in enforcing a number of rights, including the right to education and the promotion of sex education to lower the prevalence of HIV worldwide. This organization also receives reports on the various human rights developments in other countries (UNHRO, 2013). The OHCHR received a report from India titled "The Lack of Comprehensive Sexuality Education in India," which questioned the twelve state ban on adolescence education programs (Sood & Prateek, 2008)
  • The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA): With a focus on marginalized and teenage girls, UNFPA promotes and advocates for the promotion of comprehensive sexuality education, offers programming advice for both school and community settings, and promotes increased educational opportunities for all young people. UNFPA collaborates with civil society groups through a number of other strategic initiatives and partnerships in addition to working with the education sector to mainstream comprehensive sexuality education across policy frameworks, curricula, coordination structures, monitoring systems, and teacher training (UNFPA, 2013)

The Effects of Sexuality Education on Society

There are differing views on how sexuality education affects society. While some people think that receiving such information encourages sexual conduct, others, including professionals, disagree and think that it does not lead to an increase in sexual events. Researchers found "no support for the notion that sex education stimulates sexual experimentation or greater activity" based on 1,050 research articles on sex education programs. If any effect was seen, it was nearly often in favor of delaying sexual activity and/or effective contraception use, as well as infection prevention measures (Sood & Prateek, 2008). These professional judgments are supported by thorough reports on the same. The following areas are where sexuality education has a good impact:

  • Education on sexuality lowers child abuse: Understanding the distinction between sexual and non-sexual touch can be greatly aided by educating kids about their bodies and sexuality in an age-appropriate manner. Such instruction can give kids the confidence to report past or present sexual abuse while easing the shame and dread that are frequently associated with it.
  • increases public awareness of HIV/AIDS: According to the 2006 surveillance data, there were over 2.5 million HIV-positive individuals in India in 2005, a substantial portion of them were under the age of 30. An effective strategy for preventing HIV infection in young people is adequate education of the ways in which the virus is spread. Young individuals living with HIV can benefit from the proper information and abilities to get tested, access nutritional and medical care, and lead healthy lifestyles (Sood & Prateek, 2008).
  • Make mature judgments regarding sexual and reproductive relationships: Since most fertility in India occurs after marriage, the age at marriage is crucial for fertility rates. Since child marriage occurs in India, it is important for them to understand sexuality in order to make informed decisions about getting pregnant. When given the necessary information, young people who will eventually exercise their sexual and reproductive rights have a tendency to make well-informed judgments.
  • Correcting Received Inaccurate Information: In their daily lives, kids and teens come across a lot of suggestive and titillating situations. Exposures abound in the media. For critical thinking and making well-informed decisions, information is essential. When presented with very alluring circumstances, children and young people can only act responsibly if they have access to accurate information. They have access to written materials, the internet, television, and friends. However, any of these sources could provide inaccurate information, which could have unfavorable effects. For instance, youngsters will undoubtedly get the wrong message from pornographic websites on the internet. Therefore, dispelling myths and inaccurate ideas about sexuality will be made easier by disseminating accurate information.
  • Positive Effects on the Use of Condoms and Contraception Out of the 58 studies that evaluated the influence of sexuality education programs on condom usage, 40% were found to boost condom use, 60% had no impact, and none decreased condom use, according to a study submitted to the UN on the subject. In the 15 studies that examined the effects on the use of contraceptives, 40% saw a rise in use, 53% saw no change, and 7% (one program) saw a decrease. Therefore, there is no question that these programs aid in enhancing condom and contraceptive use.
  • Helps Develop Respectful Attitude towards Women: Understanding the process of a person's mental and physical growth and development, as well as how to care for and protect oneself in various situations of emotional and physical upsurges, are all aided by sexuality education. Similar to this, it helps young people have a more positive attitude regarding sex. When analyzing how people behave toward and harass women in today's culture, sexual education is equally essential. Women experience harassment and abuse due of their gender at every step since their sex is perceived as a weakness that may be exploited. The simplest tactic society uses to oppress women is to undermine her modesty and sexually abuse her. In certain aspects, sexuality education helps to alter societal attitudes and behaviors and to create a positive and respectful attitude toward women.
Thus, it is possible to assert that sexuality education is crucial. At the United Nations Expert Group Meeting on Adolescents, Kirby gave a report on the effects of sex education programs around the globe. Out of 63 studies that examined how sex education programs affected when people started having sexual relations, he claimed that 37% of them caused a delay in either the full sample or a significant subset, while 63% had no effect. In particular, none of the treatments accelerated the start of sexual contact (Kirby, 2011).

Conclusion:

Sexuality education programs are essential in the quest for a suitable and efficient method of promoting healthy, pleasant sexual behavior. Policy makers, program directors, and educators must be made aware of the fact that education can encourage young people to engage in safer sexual behavior. Future educational initiatives must include both their own evaluation processes as well as the characteristics linked to prior successful interventions. The educator or facilitator must consider the student's gender and developmental stage. It is not a feasible choice to withhold pertinent and timely information and services from young people out of concern that doing so will be seen as endorsing and promoting sexual activity by them. The moment has come to properly address sexual education.

References:

  • Council of Sex Education & Parenthood International Official Website. http://www.csepi.org/ 
  • Dutta, N (2013) Sex education : Need of the hour. http://health.india.com/sexual-health/sex-education-the-need-of-the-hour/ 
  • Hartmann, L. (2008).A review of the revised sexuality education curriculum in India. http://tarshi.net/downloads/review_of_sexuality_education_curriculum.pdf
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