When is the right time to talk about sex?
The church teaches us that sexual intercourse has a purpose, and that outside marriage it is contrary to its purpose. While I respect this statement, I strongly believe in the importance of sex education.
First, sex education does not encourage teenagers to have sex, but the opposite.
Lack of proper knowledge about sex can possibly lead to unwanted pregnancy. Giving students an accurate picture of the risks of having sexual intercourse at a young age can help them make informed decisions.
It is important to teach students at a reasonable age the dangers of having sex and how to prevent them. Having comprehensive sexual health classes in schools can help ensure that students are taking preventative measures to keep themselves safe.
Sexual activity has its consequences, and it’s very important that students understand these consequences through proper sex education.
Sex education shouldn’t be limited to certain people because of their parents' views or their religion. Honoring our beliefs doesn’t mean we have to be ignorant of certain issues that may pose a threat to our society.
Furthermore, I believe that sex education should start at home. Teens should feel safe to talk about serious matters like this with their families to guide them.
Growing up, I was filled with questions. Luckily, I was guided by people I can trust. I could just imagine other teens who didn’t have anyone to guide them.
According to a report from the Population Commission, 24 babies are born to teenage mothers every hour and almost 200,000 Filipino teens get pregnant annually, most of them from ages 15 to 19.
PopCom executive director Juan Antonio Perez III said teenage pregnancy requires concrete and immediate action.
He explained that the implementation of comprehensive sex education in schools is the long-term solution to the enduring problem.
However, the Department of Education (DepEd) is still in the process of preparing the modules for the integration of comprehensive sexuality education in subjects and the materials to be used by teachers.
While there is no concrete plan with regards to comprehensive sex education, we should not be ignorant and equip ourselves with the knowledge to guide our future decisions.
(First published on The LANCE's October 2019 Issue)