Let's talk about sex.
After all, it's about time we started talking about it; seeing that we have a declining birth rate and an increasing cases of school children in compromising positions. Maybe we should just lower the minimum age of consent eh? That would solve a lot of population problems. Or encourage fellow citizens to start procreating or else we'll import in an ah tiong.
When we became independent, it was our strategic geographic location that helped us to rise and be what we are today. Now, it is this same strategic location that has created a very crucial problem which is how to tackle the topic of sex.
On one hand, we have the older generation, who are heavily immensed in chinese cultures and beliefs, having been reared in them, and regards sex as a taboo subject. On the other side of the coin, we have the younger generation, who have brought up on a diet of coke and american pop, and has no qualms talking about sex.
Frankly, the older generation doesn't really need to talk about sex, because their parents didn't talk about it, and they're doing so well, so why start now? And, even if they feel that they should start now, how should they go about it, since their parents didn't talk about it.
Also, where got time la? Daddy mummy need to work so that you can get your iphone4 and ipod and pay your tuition fees. You also need to study for tests, and go for tuition and piano class and still need to volunteer for YOG somemore. Where got time?
So we try to find a compromise to the whole situation, and push the responsibility to the ones that our children definitely has time for - school.
But what can they do? Their hands are definitely tied. Some parents say safe sex should be promoted, others say abstinence should be the main issue instead. The debate will never end. Add a recent survey of teenagers whose main question really is 'What is sex?' and you'll realize perhaps the sexual education curriculum is barking up the wrong tree.
I think I have the solution to the problem. Sure, it would definitely raise eyebrows but every idea faces opposition right?
What I propose is that the sexual education curriculum be split into two levels, Stage 1 and Stage 2. See, more teenagers are maturing at an early age. Periods start earlier for girls. Wet dreams come earlier for boys too, probably. So the Stage 1 should be taught at an upper Primary level, namely in Primary 6. This should just cover the basics, like what is sex and what is puberty and how to cope with a growing body. You know, the really really basics. Don't need to cover protection and STDs yet.
(Of course there is an issue of what exactly is the definition of sex, but that will be in another post.)
I'm confident those nuggets of information would satisfy any curiosity that a growing tween would have. (I think). Of course, any changes or improvements can be made in due time, by conducting surveys or reviews. Also, I don't really foresee much opposition with parents here, since neither abstinence nor safe sex is promoted here. It's just teaching the facts.
Now comes the tricky part. Stage 2. Stage 2 is to teach information of a more in-depth level. Here the smaller details get taught. The students learn what is sex in Stage 1, now they learn why the need for sex in Stage 2. After all, they learn history and literature and geography in their normal curriculum, and in those subjects sex is more or less involved in one way or another.
What I am going to say is definitely going to raise some eyeballs, let alone eyebrows. But, I think since Stage 2 is going to be more mature in content, we should take the opportunity to educate about the fine points of sex. Topics like foreplay, respect, mutual satisfaction, as well as intimate hygiene should be taught too. True, it might seem obnoxious that a 15 year old kid learn about foreplay, or climax. But think far ahead. This knowledge that sex isn't just about pleasuring the guy, may lead to mutual benefits in the future. Now I'm not suggesting that it should be a very extreme level of education where they learn about sexual positions or morning after pills or dildos. I'm merely saying that certain mature topics should be taught in Stage 2.
There definitely are and will be grey areas of course, like masturbation and contraception.
But, this is just my thoughts, of course.
Lastly, these two stages should be taught as e-learning topics. After all, youths nowadays are more comfortable with a keyboard or touchscreen than a pen. Also, this eliminates the need for more-liberal teachers to teach the subjects. E-learning also grants students anonymity to ask any questions they want, with no embarrassment whatsoever, as opposed to the traditional raise-your-hand-and-ask-a-question style. This is also good for the ministry or for any moderators, because all content can be screened or recorded, be it chat logs or lesson syllabus. Questions by the students can be logged and if a lot of them ask a similar question, it can be added into the curriculum itself. What better way to improve than by using its own data?
You know, even if you disapprove of the Stage 1 Stage 2 thing, I truly hope someone brings up the idea of making sex ed an e-learning topic because the benefits are totally obvious. And, I can't really think of any cons.
Let me know if you can. :)
