Role of Sex Education

| PSYCHOLOGY REPORT| EXPLORE THE ROLE OF SEX EDUCATION AND AIDS INFORMATION IN THE CLASSROOM| | Submitted To Prof. Navin Kumar Submitted By Aayush Guide:Dr. Navin Kumar1 Vellore Institute of Technology University, Vellore April 2013 Abstract The study deals with social outlook towards sex education and AIDS patients. It aims to understand public perception towards the same. The study was carried out in 3 steps. The research outreach involved university students over a period of 11/2 months.

The students were required to answer a questionnaire dealing with sex education and day to day interactions with an AIDS patient. The research delved into the varied responses to understand general understanding of the terms ‘Sex Education’ and what deals with it and behavioural approach towards an AIDS patient in your immediate workspace or private life. The study allows us to conclude that the outlook to sex education and dealings with AIDS patients are liberal and progressive thought process of the society. Keywords: sex education, sex, education, students, HIV, parents

INTRODUCTION: What is sex education? Sex education is needful and necessary for today’s youth. Being aware of the exposure given to students in school, in the media and among their peers, sex education not only teaches them about sexual intimacy, but also enlightens them on their reproductive systems, birth control, and sexually transmitted diseases. It also exposes them to their gender identity, gender role, family role, body images, sexual expression, intimacy and the marriage relationship. Why is it important?

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Sexual health can be identified through the free and responsible expressions of sexual capabilities that foster harmonious personal and social wellness, enriching life within an ethical framework[1]. Sex Education in schools addresses the issue of sexual health and also makes students aware of the above mentioned points, thus our society can only benefit from sex education. Sex education has been and is still a taboo to the Indian society but according to the Justice Verma committee, set up after the Delhi gang rape case,there is no basis to say sex education leads to early sexual initiation by children [2].

The committee suggests that sex education be introduced in schools in a clinical manner through trained teachers and child counsellors. Children should be able to access informed, non-prejudiced sources in sexuality rather than misinformation through internet ormisleading advertising. Ever since the internet boom and the outburst of the social media platform many teenagers turn to the internet and seek solutions for their queries regarding sex and the information they get is not always right and is often misleading.

Some common misconceptions: 1. Many people believe that washing the genitals after sex protected them from STDs. Likewise, urinating after sex and use of oral contraceptives are considered as ways of preventing STDs [3]. 2. You can get STDs from toilet seats. 3. You can tell if someone has a STD. Educating students about STDs has also become very important in recent times. Most people have a stigmatizing attitude toward people living with HIV aids and also misconceptions about its transmission routes.

Hence sex education can bring about a positive change in the society. Methodology: 1. Research method: This research is on the analysis of sexual education in schools. Over 230 university students were the respondents for this research. As this research needed the respondents to make their evaluation on their experience of sexual education thus, it was suitable for the university students to be the respondents since their age and cognitive level are at its best level to evaluate [4].

In the background of this research, the respondents are matured thinkers that are able to make comparison and evaluation on their experience of sexual development that they have gone through since school. 2. Research instrument: This research was based on the qualitative method and the instrumentation of the research was on structured questions where the respondents needed to answer 14 questions. 3. Procedure: Questions were decided after an exhaustive group discussion.

A questionnaire (appendix A) was prepared using Google forms and it was posted on various social media platforms. Reponses were then recorded over a time period of 3 weeks. The data was analyzed using Microsoft excel tools. Results and findings: Responses given by people for various questions: 1) Was Sex Education provided in the classroom? The poll abovesuggest that there is an equal number of students on either side of the line. So as to say that an equal number of students received sex education in the classroom and an equal number did not.

Now there can be various reasons to this, such as the kind of school these students received their education in. Also, not attending or bypassing such sessions (when they are provided to them). Another reason beingnot paying attention to detail. Discrepancy in the data is another reason, which can be due to not taking the survey seriously (although a sincere attempt has been made to cordon such answers) 2) When were you provided Sex Education? The above result clearly indicates the findings that most of the students have received their sex education between 9th-12th standard.

This gives an idea that students generally receive sex education in the Age Group of 14-17 years. Now, the remaining 24% receive their sex education while in college, this indicates that these students receive their sex education through friends mostly, as no such sex education is provided specifically in college. 3) Where did you get your Sex Education, if not in Classroom? This clearly indicates that students not receiving their sex education in school premises receive it primarily through ‘Friends’ and ‘Internet’.

Now this points out the fact as to why so many students get misleading information about HIV and Sex, because internet and peer groups are themselves not fully aware of the nuances of these things. This leads to dispersal of wrong information which can, at times, be dangerous. 4) What do you think is the right age to receive Sex Education? This poll substantiates our findings about most number of students receiving their sex education between Classes 9th-12th. This indicates that the people who are providing sex education are providing it at a correct age and to the correct age group. ) Did you share your Sex Education experience with your parents? Now this was something very much expected as most of the students do not share their sex education experience with their parents. Now the particular reasons to this can be like being Not so extrovert with parents, a situation similar to when kids leave the room when an advertisement on condoms or HIV is projected on television. Also, the society and culture of our country where things such as sex and HIV are considered taboo. Another reason being fear of the fact as to how the parents would react to it.

Some of the possible solutions can be parents taking the initiative with their children, also parents should try to teach their kids the ‘Bees’ thing so as to give them a fair idea of sex and HIV. Also, children can initiate the issue with their mothers/fathers whoever they feel more comfortable to discuss with. 6) Do you think 'Teen Pregnancy' will be reduced by Sex Education? To a certain extent this result was expected, 90% of the people believe that ‘Teen Pregnancy’ will be reduced by the help of sex education.

Reasons as to what we feel why students think this way in these regards is that Sex Education introduces them to condoms and contraceptives; this helps students to realize as to how the mechanism of birth can be controlled. Apart from this, it opens them up to more ideas and they might have a healthy discussion as to how it can be controlled, which helps the overall reduction of Teen pregnancy. We also believe that sex education does help the youth in understanding the way intercourse can be performed and at the same time drawing the line.

Also, it is the duty of the individuals to take care that a mistake does not occur which might hamper their personal and professional lives. 7) Should we have 'Condom Vending Machines' in public? This result draws a very positive focus on the fact that students are basing their answers on something that is very essential, also it points out as to how the youth has totally transformed into something more modern which makes it less vulnerable and open minded. 8) Have you ever tried finding about AIDS at your own will?

This is a very positive aspect of the students that can be seen through the above poll, the tenacity to want to learn more about the subject of HIV on their own makes us feel that the students, who of course hold an image of the future in them, are taking an initiative on their own to get to know more about this ghastly problem AIDS. 9) Have you ever met someone with AIDS? This does not come as a surprise as to very few students have actually met an AIDS infected person.

It also draws light on how many students have wanted to visit an AIDS infected person (though in a very subtle manner), because those who have met might have met them out of their own accord or while working with an NGO. 10) What will you do if you find out that an AIDS infected person? The goal of this poll was to find out how students would react if they find out that they are dining with an AIDS infected person. Now we are happy to realize that there have been answers on both ends which show that an AIDS infected person can be maltreated, albeit in some cases only. 1) Do you think HIV+ people should have different schools and colleges? A very optimistic result, which again projects the positive mentality of students who would not want AIDS infected people to be maltreated. 12) Will you change your attitude towards your best friend if you find out him/her having AIDS? This poll projects the honesty of individuals in specifying the way they would treat or change their behaviour if they find out about their best friend being infected with AIDS.

It shows that more number of people (92%) are ready to not change their reaction towards their AIDS infected friend (if they come across such a case). Conclusion: There were so many facts and opinions related to Sex Education and HIV which were presumed to be true, but with the help of this survey, we can now clearly accept these facts and statistics reason being that most of the questions had a ‘one-sided’ weight age which shows that these question were correctly answered and can be accepted.

It also points out that Sex is still treated as a taboo topic in India where most of the students, not only those surveyed, still do not discuss Sex and HIV with their parents and instead receive and discuss these issues with their friends and over the internet, which leads to students leading to receiving ‘misleading’ information. The survey also draws light on the positive aspect of ‘student thinking’ when it comes to taking personal initiative to enquire more about AIDS and HIV, which shows the enthusiasm and ‘wanting to learn’ capacity of the students apart from personal awakening.

Overall, the survey has indicated the thought process of the student community in a college curriculum. References: 1. Coleman E (2002), Promoting sexual health and responsible sexual behavior, J Sex Research, Volume 39, Page no. 3-6. 2. The Economic Times, 25-01-2013 3. Richard A Crosby et al (2000), Misconceptions about STD protective behavior, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Volume 19, Page no. 167-173. 4.

JohariTalib et al (2012), Analysis of Sex Education in Schools across Malaysia, Procedia- Social and Behavioral Sciences, Volume 59, Page no. 340-348 AIDS & Sex Education Survey A survey to understand the role of sex education and AIDS information at the classroom level. ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- Top of Form Specify your sex *  Male *  Female Mention your Age Was Sex Education provided in the classroom? *  Yes *  No

When were you provided Sex Education? *  Class 7th - 8th *  Class 9th - 12th *  College Where did you get your Sex Education, if not in Classroom? *  Parents *  Friends *  Magazines *  Internet What do you think is the right age to receive Sex Education? Did you share your Sex Education experience with your parents? *  Yes *  No *  I was given Sex Education by parents itself Do you think 'Teen Pregnancy' will be reduced by Sex Education? *  Yes *  No Should we have 'Condom Vending Machines' in public places?  Yes *  No Have you ever tried finding about AIDS at your own will? *  Yes *  No Have you ever met someone with AIDS? *  Yes *  No What will you do if you find out that an AIDS infected person is dining with you at a restaurant? *  Will continue dining *  Will switch places or leave Do you think HIV+ people should have different schools and colleges? *  Yes *  No Will you change your attitude towards your best friend if you find out him/her having AIDS? *  Yes *  No Bottom of Form

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