Sex education is being imparted in all developed and developing countries today .But in India , Sex is still considered a sacred and a taboo. It is believed that imparting Sex education to students at the Primary level will corrupt their impressionable minds and instead of concentrating on their studies, they would be constantly thinking of Sex and Pre-teen pregnancies will arise .It is also believed that imparting Sex education at primary level would take the mystery out of sex and children would openly question their parents and elders about their Sex lives. They would also pray into the Sex lives of older members of the family and derive a salacious pleasure out of their findings their period of adolescence and discovery would disappear and they would step into adulthood straight from childhood.
However , with the information boom that strikes us from all directions today , it would be a grave mistake if a vital part of western culture like Sex education is not imparted at the primary level. With-holding knowledge and information about Sex matters from young people are in open conspiracy and all reference to Sex is tabooed in the home and in the school. Curiosity and interest in Sex are inevitable in children and the task of the education is not to avoid the issue. A frank and straightforward attitude towards Sex the home and the school will dispel many exaggerated fears. Genuine questions asked by children should be answered through legitimate channels without any delicacy and embarrassment so as to avoid their seeking knowledge from crude and vulgar sources. Children today are exposed to satellite channels on their television throughout the day. Keeping them away from Sex education would be detrimental to their mental growth. Should not wise guidance and right knowledge help children to adjust themselves to this rising tide of the sex instinct? Should not very sane and correct information be given to them? Segregation and a hushhush policy will only put off information and not altogether withhold it.
In this land of Khajuraho and Kamasutra, Sex education must be brought out of the closet . This would shed the hypocrisy and pretence associated with Sex today. Students would have open minds and , in due course of time , Hence in view of the importance attached , and in view of the alarming rise in the AIDS cases , adopting western culture like Sex education in schools curriculum is essential
Shyam Thapa
A.G. Colony, Kohima
