The Catholic Church has considerable political influence the Philippines, and in many countries in Latin America.
I was raised Catholic I'm also Irish and with one exception no one in my family ever took the church so seriously it affected their life or reproductive decisions. I've traveled extensively in Brazil and Italy and can say the same for those two countries as well. Sure there is always a harpy that will run to the priest or even let herself be abused but the harpies are only 1% of the population.
We can provide an opportunity for students to talk to single parents, to teen mothers, to AIDS and other STD patients,and learn firsthand what the consequences of sexual irresponsibility can be. Excellent idea.
Personally, I think sex education should also encompass discussion of the psychological and emotional climate that surrounds sex and relationships. Reading and discussion of works of quality fiction, biography, autobiography, that deal with relationships and their sexual component can do a lot of good in helping people to deal with their own perceptions - and those of others - in a non-threatening way. "Fear of Flying"? No, that is way too subjective, teach the facts let them pick what they like to read. Or maybe make them watch "To Sir With Love" hundreds of times.
A lot of teenagers have a hard time coming to grips with physical desire, emotional uncertainty, and the interface between the two; they often have little input from outside and feel as if they are operating in a vacuum.
A lot of adults have the same problem and no amount of education before or after will make them feel good about themselves. Self confident and physically healthy people have the best shot at satisfying themselves and their partners sexual desire.
We live in a repressive society no matter what images you see being flashed at you by the media. Schools should stick to what they can do, reading, writing and arithmetic and the basics of safe sex along with reproductive biology. By trying to do everything schools are failing to teach even the basics. |
