The problem of sex information and instruction

Sex education in the United States and other European countries as well as in some Asian countries does not meet any opposition from the government or any sector of society. This is because it is considered necessary in controlling overpopulation as well as preventing the spread of sexual disease.

In the Philippines, however, sex education in elementary and high school levels has been scrapped by the government because it has met opposition from the Catholic Church’s stand in its pro-life campaign . The Church frowns at the artificial birth control methods which the government promotes, such as the use of pills, IUD, condom and many others. The only method allowed by the Church is the natural method and abstinence.

The church teaches that human sexuality is a gift from God, a part of His creation that he saw as being very good when he created man and women in his image and likeness. And like Him, man is called to love and to self -giving in the unity of body and spirit. And seen in the very mystery of creation, sexuality is not only the source of fruitfulness and procreation but includes the capacity of expressing love.

From this context, the Church teaches that the home should be the first school of sexuality where the parents are the teachers of the children. Through the sacrament of matrimony, the parents are given the grace to carry out the mission of teaching the children that man is called to live in truth and love and everyone finds fulfillment through the sincere gift of self. Parents should be the perfect models for their children through which they can win their children’s confidence and thus talk openly about sensitive issues like human sexuality especially its sanctity. They must teach them good values such as self-respect and purity, respect for others and love.

In this respect, the Church is correct in its teachings. But it cannot be denied that many of Filipino parents are not true to their faith and many of them are negligent in educating their children of the right values. Does this mean that the school has the right to usurp parents’ rights to educate their children about human sexuality? Can it be said that school teachers are better qualified to teach about sex? The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) still opposed the DepED’s proposed program to introduce the artificial birth control methods to the students. Instead of teaching the young people to respect sex, the Church argues that it might lead them to abuse sex because they will not think about unwanted pregnancies anymore.

In some European countries, elementary and high school students are provided by the government with birth control kits containing pills and condoms. Thus at the early age, these children engage in sex without fear. But they also have not developed respect and appreciation of human sexuality. The government fails to teach them the basic value that sex is a God-given gift. Thus, they do it without love and respect. For them it is just an instinctive act just like that of the animals.

Who, then, is the better person to teach our children of sexuality? Maybe this issue must be given first priority by the government, the Church and the family. It is about time that everybody must put their heads together and agree on a better idea on how to do it.

(Almedejar is Head Teacher IV at Ramon Avanceña National High School)