Introducing age-appropriate sex education in schools and at home is essential to address emotional and developmental challenges, prevent harmful practices and promote healthy living among teenagers
It is a universally accepted fact that education is the ladder to real and sustainable development. An all-encompassing education, as the name suggests, touches every aspect of people’s lives in general and students in particular. It is not limited to reading, writing, and speaking. Instead, it is comprehensive in nature and takes pivotal aspects of a person’s life into account as well.
If we look at a human being’s needs—apart from the necessities of eating, sleeping, recreation, socialisation, and emotional stability—there is something hidden that has the potential to derail the smooth journey of a man’s life: sex. Until the beginning of teenage years, a child needs only basic necessities that are easily available and not something to worry about. It is as simple as that. However, the challenge arises when the same child begins to feel sexual warmth in his body. The magma begins to boil in his inner world. He is unable to come to terms with what is happening to him. Abrupt body changes, voice changes, and many other sudden changes prompt him to scramble for answers. During childhood, butterflies kiss his forehead. The serenity of an angelic world mesmerises him. However, one night, that tranquillity snaps, and he begins to swirl like things in a whirlpool. The genie of adolescence knocks on his door, and he begins to shiver. At this time, what we call sex education is needed: educating him that the transition to this world is normal and natural. This phase of life is when sex education is most important, because this age of strife needs proper care and a supporting hand.
As a teacher at a local coaching centre, I have observed a lack of sex education among teenagers. This made me realise how crucial it is. Adolescents often approach me with their teenage problems. The common thread in all discussions is how to navigate the tumultuous years of adolescence. In most cases, the students do not understand what teenage life is and why they feel unstable and anxious. Feeling helpless and unable to find a healing touch, they resort to immoral and harmful practices and fall prey to more storms.
When I researched the importance of sex education in schools and at home, I found that before the advent of the Internet, such education was still needed—and was imparted in religious seminaries, where adolescents were acquainted with the nuances of impending teenage life. Teenage mistakes were rare. However, with the arrival of the Internet, the one-click availability of 18+ content, Facebook and Instagram reels full of nudity, and widespread approval of adolescent relationships, many teenagers’ lives are now endangered. Cut-throat competition and the “survival of the fittest and handsomest” mentality have proven to be the last nail in the coffin of adolescent sexual derailment. Balancing teenage pressures and academic pressures has dulled the minds of many adolescents. Exposing themselves—consciously or unconsciously—to content that grants momentary pleasure breeds anxiety, emotional imbalance, anger, mood swings, social isolation, crime, and substance abuse in the long run.
Therefore, the need of the hour is to introduce sex education in schools as soon as possible. This introduction should start at home too, with alertness at every step. Both male and female sex educators must be regularly invited to institutions so that an atmosphere of trust is created for the smooth imparting of sex education. From the very first grade, children should be made aware of the importance of sex education and the issues it addresses. Parents, religious heads, and school administrations can leave a positive impact on students’ psyches if sex education is delivered professionally and positively. Beyond making books available, we must earn students’ trust, listen to their concerns, and—rather than shaming them—give them space to understand the gravity of the situation and apply the appropriate methods at the right time.
As discussed, the necessity of sex education among teenagers has become a priority. Adolescents face storms of emotional turmoil and sexual immaturity that toss them back and forth with no direction. A lack of understanding of the onset of sexual maturity leads to frustration and sometimes escalates into violence and self-harm. In today’s hyper-connected social media age—where teenagers indulge in virtual relationships—simple things like a delayed reply or a like can trigger legal or illegal behaviours intended to placate teenage egos and display an immature nature. I apologise for stating that the ready availability of smartphones among adolescents has made sex education an absolute must.
Let us therefore create an environment in which valuable sex education is imparted to adolescents in a fruitful manner. Let us help them navigate the stormy phase of teenage years. Let them express their frustrations and find relief. Last but not least, let us make them understand the importance of sex education in living a healthy life. Before concluding, let’s make sex education an integral part of our school curriculum.
God bless us all!
The writer is a teacher
Syed Mustafa Ahmad
sy************@***il.com