Sex education

Sex education

Sex education is a process that begins at birth and continues until the day you die. It is a process of building a strong foundation for sexual health. There are many misunderstandings and non-factual opinions that go along with this topic even though it is constantly discussed. Sex education is a broad term used to describe education about human sexual anatomy, sexual reproduction, sexual intercourse, reproductive health, emotional relations, reproductive rights and responsibilities, abstinence, contraception, and other aspects of human sexual behaviour. Sex education may also be described as "sexuality education", which means that it encompasses education about all aspects of sexuality.[1] It is a planning to tell the children, they should know how to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STD), venereal diseases (VD), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and pregnancy. For Muslim parents of today, sex is a dirty word. They feel uncomfortable in discussing sex education with their children. These parents should know that sex is not always a dirty word. It is an important aspect of our life. God Who cares for all the aspects of our life, and not just the way of worshipping Him, discusses reproduction, creation, family life, menstruation and even ejaculation in the Quran. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who was sent to us as an example, discussed many aspects of sexual life including sexual positions with his Companions. The main reason Muslim parents do not or cannot discuss sex education with their children is because of the cultural upbringing, not their religious training. They are often brought up in a state of ignorance in regard to sex issues. As a result, they may not be comfortable with their own sexuality or its expression.[2] To solve this problem, Islam recognizes the strong sexual urge and desire for reproduction. Thus, Islam encourages marriage as a legal sexual means and as a shield from immorality (sex without commitment). A married couple assumes a new social status and responsibility for himself, his wife and his children and for the community. The Quran says, "Among His signs is that He created consorts for you from among yourself, so that you may find tranquillity with them, and (He) set love and compassion between you. Verily in this are signs for people who reflect" (30:21).[3]

One of the basic questions is, "Do children need sex education?" Do you teach a baby duck how to swim or just put it in the water and let it swim? Sex education aims to reduce the risks of potentially negative outcomes from sexual behaviour, such as unwanted or unplanned pregnancies and infection with sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. It also aims to contribute to young people’s positive experience of their sexuality by enhancing the quality of their relationships and their ability to make informed decisions over their lifetime that sex is only after marriage. Young people usually get information about sex and sexuality from a wide range of sources including each other, through the media including advertising, television and magazines, as well as leaflets, books and websites which are intended to be sources of information about sex and sexuality. Some of this will be accurate and some inaccurate. Providing information through sex education is therefore about finding out what young people already know and adding to their existing knowledge and correcting any misinformation they may have.  They  need to have information on all the following topics: (1)Sexual development & reproduction - the physical and emotional changes associated with puberty and sexual reproduction, including fertilisation and conception, as well as sexually transmitted diseases and HIV.(2)Contraception & birth control - what contraceptives there are, how they work, how people use them, how they decide what to use or not, and how they can be obtained.(3)Relationships - what kinds of relationships there are, love and commitment, marriage and partnership and the law relating to sexual behaviour and relationships as well as the range of religious and cultural views on sex and sexuality and sexual diversity. Sex education that works starts early, before young people reach puberty, and before they have developed established patterns of behaviour.  The precise age at which information should be provided depends on the physical, emotional and intellectual development of the young people as well as their level of understanding. What is covered and also how, depends on who is providing the sex education (must be Muslim and really know about Islamic view in sexuality), when they are providing it, and in what context, as well as what the individual young person wants to know about. It is important for sex education to begin at a young age and also that it is sustained. Giving young people basic information from an early age provides the foundation on which more complex knowledge is built up over time.[4] To make sense, subject of sex should not be taboo and hide from the dark reality. The children must be educating in the ways and meaning of sex between husband and wife. They should know the hazardous of sex before marriage. Plus, knows about the halal and haram.

It is a great thing to teach children sex education and to do it in a way that upholds Muslim beliefs and values. Our children need to be taught sex education Islamically and with great respect. To respect themselves and their own bodies. And to protect what has been given to them with the upmost dignity. As the primary goal of sex education in the schools should be to help young people to build a foundation as they mature into sexually healthy adults, these programs will assist young people in understanding a positive view of sexuality, provide them with information and skills about taking care of their sexual health and help them make decisions about solving problems now and in the future. This education needs to be taught in the various high schools for a number of reasons including: to students build a strong foundation, to decrease teenage pregnancy (prevent birth out of wedlock), to make students aware of Sexually Transmitted diseases and prevent them from occurring. [5] Upon to the subject, it helps young people to develop relationships and interpersonal skills and also help them to exercise responsibility regarding sexual relationships. The most effects of sex education are we as a human will respect our body and spirit that Allah give us to worship him. Other than that, we become more aware of the risks and threats to our personal being by control the sociality and morality between males and females. The children can have better understanding of family value in the way of Islam. Sex education has officially become a subject in the National Service Training Program. The inclusion of the subject was officiated by Women, Family and Community Development Minister, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. About 1,500 facilitators would be train to teach the subject.[6]

[1]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_education, accessed on 9/4/2011, 12.57 pm

[2] Shahid Athar MD, Sex Education: An Islamic Perspective(Indianapolis: Indiana, Kazi Pubns Inc, 1995)page 77

[3]Sheikh Abdullah Basmeih, Tafsir Pimpinan Ar-Rahman Kepada Pengertian Al-Quran (Kuala Lumpur:Malaysia, Darul Fikir, 2001)page 1059

[4] http://www.avert.org/sex-education.htm, accessed on 9/4/2011, 2.15 pm

[5] http://www.customwritings.com/blog/sample-sex-education-.html, accessed on 9/4/2011, 9.00 pm

[6] Newspaper online The Malaysia Insider, National service trainees to learn sex education, 17/2/2011