Dabawenyos still divided on sex education

FINDINGS of a survey conducted by a social weather institute in Davao City showed that Dabawenyos are divided whether to include sex education in the schools' curriculum.

Dr. Maria Linda Arquiza, Institute of Popular Opinion (IPO) vice president for research and publication, speaking in Monday's Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao, said the 10-day survey conducted from November 18 to 28, 2012, revealed that 47.91 percent respondents surveyed favor the inclusion of sex education in the curriculum.

While those who say "no" to the inclusion of sex education in the curriculum is a little higher 49.64 percent.

She said the survey was administered to a total of 1,400 respondents, which were divided with the total voting population in each of three political districts of the city.

"Though, RH (Reproductive Health) Bill was already signed into law, it could be observed that there still simmers a strong disapproval on some of its provisions, specifically on the sex education provision," the survey results added.

The survey results also added that majority of those who agree to the inclusion of sex education are within the aged 36 to 42 years old with 13.21 percent, followed by aged 30 to 35 with 10.48 percent, 18 to 29 years old with 10.04 percent, 43 to 49 were with 9.15 percent, 50 to 56 years old with 3.99, and 64 years old and above with .52 percent.

"Individuals aged 36 to 42 years old belong to transition 2 of the demographic stage - the most productive age, in economics and biologics. Their approval of the inclusion of sex education in the curriculum must be borne from their experiences and perspectives. Perhaps, it is their way of saying that education may also teach about a stable family size to support and safe sexual activities," it added.

Majority of the respondents have favored "high school level" with 47.05 percent where should sex education be introduced over "elementary level" with only 1.95 percent.

"Surely, it would require enough degree of maturity to understand the nature of pro-creation," Arquiza said.

Maian Cozo, health and environment specialist of IPO, said RH Bill, now Republic Act No.10354, or the "Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012", after its passage on December 21, 2012, states that the sex education shall be included in the curriculum of the elementary students starting Grade 5 level.

On the topics of sex education, the survey results revealed that Dabawenyos say “gender and sexual orientation” be included in the sex education with 96.04 percent, followed by “how to communicate with parents over matters of sex and issues relationships at 95.23 percent, and the “issues on active sex” with 95.07 percent.

Those who voted issues on "active sex" as one of the topics in sex education obtained 95.07 percent, followed by “information on reproduction (intercourse up to giving birth)” with 94.35 percent, “how to resist sexual engagement” with 94.34 percent, “how to communicate with partner on matter of birth control as well as sexually transmitted disease” with 94.02 percent, “how to communicate with partner in resisting sex” with 90.48 percent, and the “different types of birth control” with 89.1 percent.

On who should determine the way sex education is taught, "parents" comes the highest with 88.4 percent, followed by health professionals with 86.7 percent, school administrators with 78.1 percent, followed by religious leaders with 55.8 percent, students with 53.2 percent, and politicians with 47.3 percent.

"We just hope that our professionals, especially from DepEd (Department of Education) and health professionals, that they put together and come up with curriculum na bagay sa atong mga kabataan (that will best fit Filipino youths)," Cozo added.

Meanwhile, among the top reasons why should sex education must not be taught in school are "parents have the sole responsibility of educating children on issues about sex" with 95.30 percent, "sex education would make children curious and encourage them to engage in sex" with 84.20 percent, and "sex education will not solve teenage pregnancy" with 81.70 percent.