|
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Wenceslao: My take on sex education
By Bong O. Wenceslao
“Sex Education: Is It a Must?” was the topic of the forum that brought me to the Cebu Business Hotel in Colon St., Cebu City last Saturday, Aug. 5. With me as speakers were Dr. Rene Josef Bullecer of Human Life International, Maryjun Delgado of the University of San Jose-Recoletos and Wilfredo Denuyo of the Department of Education.
I initially thought of sex education as a subject controversial enough to spark a debate among panelists. It turned out those who attended the forum were one in the belief that sex education must be included in the school curriculum. But in what level schools should teach it and what information should be taught is another aspect altogether.
My argument for sex education is also an apology, media being, generally, the source of inaccurate information and exploitative values relating to sex and sexuality. Pornography and its softer variation together with western concept of sexual conduct are being peddled, providing Filipinos, even the very young, with negative influence.
If only to straighten out the minds of our youths, sex education is a must, and I say even in the elementary grades as long as the content conforms to their age level. And teachers must be well trained and equipped, especially with the correct values. The worst thing to happen is when closet pedophiles or sexual perverts end up teaching the subject.
The content? That should be subjected to deeper scrutiny and debate, although I agree with Bullecer that it should be sensitive to Filipino culture and must be purged of negative western ideas pushed by foreign-funding institutions and manufacturers of contraceptives and mouthed by some non-government organizations in the country.
Call me conservative or old-fashioned if you will but I am for teaching avoidance, something taught to us by our parents and that was in turn handed down to them by their ancestors---long before the phrase “protected sex” was invented. I am for teaching the higher meaning of sexual love, one that considers sex as a means and not an end.
Meaning, I don’t buy the line that since people, especially the young, will indulge in sex anyway, might as well teach them how to use, say, condoms to protect them from pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. That reminds me of the discredited move to give syringes to addicts to protect them from Aids while injecting shabu into their veins.
My greatest worry is to see the day when what is happening in the west---free sex, abortion, and other sexual perversions---will be replicated in our country.
That can be prevented if we teach the correct values to our youths. Watching the students gathered in the forum react positively to this point last Saturday, I did find hope. Indeed, it’s not yet too late to prevent the deluge.
TEXTREAX. Ben Villamor said I “hit the nail right on the head” on the case of Cebu City Councilor Gerardo Carillo but wanted me to hit the councilor much harder to put sense into him. Another texter wondered why people voted for Carillo in the last elections. Frankly, I don’t know.
(khanwens@yahoo.com/ 0915-9228651/my blog: cebuano.wordpress.com)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (August 10, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
