We all know about the benefits of sex education. Unfortunately, though, it’s something many young people don’t have access to, especially in the country.
And the thing is, it should not be the case at all. This lack of sex education in the Philippines gives birth to other problems like teenage pregnancy.
According to CNN Philippines, the number of births among girls aged 15 and under increased from 62,341 in 2018 to 62,510 in 2019.
There’s also the spread of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, which can be easily prevented if people were more aware of the risks involved in unprotected sex.
There are 77,000 individuals living with HIV in the country, 19,000 of whom fall under the 15-24 age group, the Philippine Star reported in January 2020, citing a 2019 report by Joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS).
The list of problems caused by the lack of comprehensive sex education in the country doesn’t end here, however. This is why we believe teenagers should not be deprived of it.
No matter what we do, people will be curious about sex
One of the biggest misconceptions some people have about sex education is that it would only encourage youngsters to have sex. What they fail to realize, however, is the fact that no matter what we do, people, particularly the young ones, will be curious about it.
So, instead of keeping them in the dark when it comes to matters related to sex, why don’t we guide them in learning the facts instead? That way, they will be more capable of caring for themselves.
If they are educated about sex, they will be able to make more informed decisions not only with their bodies but also their future.
When they are made aware of the risks involved with unprotected sex, they will be more careful because they will have a better understanding of how their behaviors can impact their lives.
Without proper sex ed, teens may end up getting info from unreliable sources
Sex is a very intriguing topic, especially to those who don’t know a thing (or much) about it. When a young person hears about it for the first time, for instance, it is very likely that they would seek more information about it.
And, when they can’t talk to a trusted adult about the matter, what do you think they will do? Of course, they will try to look for answers on their own.
But as we all know, it’s hard to filter information these days. Considering the amount of literature one can access with just a click, how can we be sure that these young people will always find legitimate sources?
At least, when they know what sex is and what’s normal and what isn’t, it would be a lot easier for them to distinguish facts from lies online.
But if they are clueless, things would just be a lot trickier. They may stumble upon and fall for materials that disseminate wrong information about sex.
If they can’t learn about sex from trustworthy and qualified adults, they may seek guidance from friends who may also be misinformed about it
Besides looking for answers online, they may also approach friends in an attempt to learn more about the topic.
Of course, it would be cool if they would end up talking to someone who knows the facts. However, if they end up discussing with someone as misinformed or as clueless as they are, they may be at risk as well.
What’s even concerning is when they get tips or advice from a peer who claims to know things about sex but is actually misinformed about it, like someone who thinks it’s just okay to have sex without protection as long as the guy is going to pull out his member before he orgasms.
But as we know now, believing in that is pretty dangerous. Apart from unwanted pregnancy, there’s also the risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases when you have unprotected sex.
Some beliefs on women’s “safe days” can also be very dangerous because it gives them a false sense of safety when in fact, they should always have safe, protected sex because there’s going to be a risk any time of the month.
They may even try to learn about sex through porn
Sadly, a lot of people’s first exposure to sex is through porn. It’s no surprise at all, considering how easy it is to access pornographic materials online.
But it’s not a good way to learn about sex at all, since porn usually shows fantasies. The male gaze is also very common in such materials.
First of all, porn doesn’t portray bodies realistically, especially when it comes to cisgender females. Besides favoring certain body shapes and sizes, pornographic materials also often show labias that are neat and tuck, which, of course, can make some feel bad about their own bodies.
Sex positions that focus more on showmanship rather than pleasure are also very common in porn, so it’s another reason why teenagers should not rely on it.
And, most importantly, there’s consent, which matters in every sexual encounter. Every party involved should be willing and ready for every act to be performed, and it should be expressed through verbalized consent.
The problem, however, is it doesn’t seem to be a priority in most pornographic materials. In fact, some films even imply that the lack of verbal consent is “sexy.”
Comprehensive sex ed can show them the good side of sexuality and relationships
Proper sex ed isn’t just about sexual intercourse itself but also sexuality. It can even show them what healthy sexuality and relationships are like, which can serve as their models as they grow older.
Moreover, it can make them realize that sex can be fun and pleasurable while simultaneously ensuring the safety of everyone involved.
Once they know this, they can help make things safer for everyone. They can protect themselves from potential violence, risk of STDs, and unplanned pregnancy, too, since they will recognize red flags immediately.
Young people deserve better. They have the right to know about things that could help them protect themselves better.
