IT WAS recently reported by the Davao City Aids Council (DCAC) that, in the city, the youngest recorded human immunodeficiency virus-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV-Aids) case acquired through sex is a 13 year old. However, due to the sensitivity and confidentiality of the case, they did not divulge any details of the minor.
Data from the Reproductive Health and Wellness Center (RHWC) in Davao City showed that 1,004 in the age group of 15 to 25 years old are infected with HIV-Aids. This is the second largest age group infected with HIV-Aids after the 25 to 34 years old group with 1,181.
As compared to the whole population of Davao City, the number may look small but it should not be overlooked by many. The sexually transmitted disease is a growing problem in the Philippines with an average of around 31 cases being diagnosed everyday, according to the data provided by the Alliance against Aids (Alagad).
We ask ourselves, why is this happening? Pricilla Senoc, DCAC secretariat, pointed out that social media may have a hand on this. Social media has given the youth more access to information that should not get to them like topics on sex. The internet, which cannot be fully regulated as it may violate some rights, is already accessible to the younger ones allowing them to see content, like pornography, that may corrupt their young minds.
However, prior to the internet, in a way the media also plays part in this. Magazines with adult content can be bought by someone older and they can give it to someone who is younger than them. In Philippine television, there is no shortage of scenes on adultery, premarital sex, and other sexual topics.
Society as a whole has not also done anything to address the problem. Families and churches shy away from any decent discussion on sex with the young people. It is these two institutions that must be at the forefront on the discussion of sex and the importance of keeping yourself for the person who you will marry.
Schools might not also have properly discussed the matter within the classrooms.
There is no sense of maturity when it comes to the discussion of sex in Philippine society. When people in general talk about, it usually comes out as something they can laugh but fail to realize its negative impact when not discussed properly.
If there is no proper discussion on sex that will be done between families, churches, and schools, we can expect more minors contracting HIV-Aids or other forms of sexually transmitted diseases due to lack of knowledge on sex and committing pre-marital sex.
We should not be ashamed to discuss sex because if we do not foster an environment where it can be healthily discussed, then there could be an increase in the number of young people and minors contracting HIV/Aids.