Today’s topic is one that I confess discomfort in discussing. Do not get me wrong, I can hold my own in a scientific exchange on the same, it is just that culture and environment created this “do not even go there” feeling around the topic. It is for this reason I will refer to the subject experts as my Communications professor says. I have included some wonderful sites with more information for anyone interested in finding out more on sex education and related issues.
1. Youth and sexuality resources on the internet
I can say sex education was nonexistent I my childhood, not from lack of discussions or references to any act related to sex, but from the subject’s presentation. It seemed to be discussed when there were “kangaroo cases” where some kids had gotten caught being curious (now that I know better), and showing each other parts of their bodies. The curiosity went further in some cases because I remember some cases always warranted more punishment than others.
The only time I remember sexuality issues being tackled well was once when we had some youth counselors come to the village and talk to the youth. That was the time we could ask all the questions we always wanted to ask but couldn’t ask for fear of the cane, or maybe the environment was never conducive for such discussions. How many of our sisters thanked the donators of cosmea for the relief it caused from the agony of asking for sanitary towels. It is funny how information flows freely among the SOS children and somehow never gets to the right ears. If only there was proper communication, most of the problems within the community would not have existed.
Speaking of communication, how sure are we that the children feel confident enough to report sexual abuse, or any other kind of abuse for that matter? There was a think tank project in the village a while back, what was done with the results of the survey? What was learned from those results? There was a tendency for some of the older boys in the family homes to abuse their young siblings. I know from the rumors that there was a tad of truth in the stories. Some are still affected to date and will tell you the experiences with, or even without some alcohol induced confidence.
I hope there is a program in place for sex education, not the science we learn in school. The kind of forum where questions can be asked without fear, information is imparted in a proper manner and sex is demystified enough for the children to know enough for their own safety too.
Today’s Challenge
What can you share with us on today’s topic? Your sex education as you recall, your experience in your youth etc. that can be used to benefit another?
