Sex education in India

In India, people are uncomfortable discussing sex education openly because they still think it is unnecessary. However, when we talk about sex, we can differentiate it in two ways one as the gender difference and the second concerning the physical need of the person. Sex is considered an unusual word in India, but we cannot neglect that it is essential for the continuation of the human race. 

The teachers and parents are the chains that remind the social value of a child from their birth. If they do not make their children and students comfortable, this topic will always remain taboo in the country. Therefore, people are not ready to talk about this critical matter, which results in a lack of knowledge about our bodies and sex, which has led to the increasing rate of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) among people. 

Nowadays, stress is increasing in growing teenagers due to various reasons. They start reliving their stress on porn sites and create unusual fantasies which harm their ability to think and explore. Sex images and videos about women affect teenagers’ mental and physical health. The national council introduced sex education for education in 2007 and dealt with the growing interest and lack of education about sex in teenagers. 

Why sex education is essential in India?

India is a diverse country with a vast population with the highest rate of sexual issues like sexual abuse, adult pregnancy, and diseases like HIV and AIDS. The data shows more than 2.3 million people with HIV have been infected. However, this can be reduced by providing education and awareness according to the national AIDS prevention and control policy 2002. 

Nowadays, more than 50% of teenagers face sexual abuse in their young age, and it is the responsibility of parents, teachers, and adults to educate them by providing knowledge about identifying the abuse and protected themselves. 

Government initiatives for sex education in India 

To change society, the government takes many steps like the national education policy 2016 under which sex education is provided in every single school. The government also offered an adolescent education program in 2017. This program was banned in a few states due to protests. This program covers significant issues like body image, abuse, gender inequality, sexuality, etc.

The CBSE has also issued a program in 2005 called the adolescent reproductive and sexual health education project.

Types of sex education

1. Sex education for adolescents: In India, almost 30 % of people are illiterate and lack knowledge about sex, including teenagers. In addition, most adolescents in rural areas have poverty which stops them from growing. While low and weak body affects stamina and due to a lack of education, these males and females do not take safe sex measures or use contraceptives.
2. Sex education in family planning for adults:  Nowadays, people in urban areas are pretty considerate towards child planning due to the high quality of lifestyle and education. Therefore, some adults in urban areas are educated about sex safety and use contraceptives as a savior. But, in contrast, some population is uneducated, which leads to the unplanned children.
3. HIV / AIDS prevention education: AIDS is the most common issue nowadays which can happen due to various reasons. For example, sharing needles, not using condoms during sex, blood transfusion and other activities which can exchange the body fluids. 

Facts about sex education in India

1. In India, teachers do not talk about sex education. In most areas, sex education is called sexuality. The typical mentality of people is that sex education will teach students about how to do sex. People get offended if the ‘sex’ word is used openly and named in different ways, such as adolescent education, comprehensive sexuality education, etc. 
2. During the classes of sex education in school, teachers made the girls and boys sit separately because they think sitting together could make them uncomfortable. While these sessions are conducted to help students gain knowledge about the body and needs.  
3. The main motive of sex education is to teach people what our body is and understand ourselves and the opposite gender. Sex is not necessary, it’s just the need of the hour to satisfy human nature. 

FAQs

1. Does teaching about sex in schools helpful?

Ans: Sexuality education helps in the accessible and comfortable communication about sex between parents and children. And considering this knowledge, parents become more open-minded toward their teenagers and their need for sexuality. 

2. What is comprehensive sex education?

Comprehensive sex education teaches about human beings’ emotional, physical, and mental emotions toward sexual sex and relationships. It helps them to empower them towards their body and their action:

• Consider how their choice can affect their health, being
• It develops the sexual and mutual relationships
• Providing knowledge of their needs and rights.
• It helps in providing realization of the market, health, and well-being.

3. Why are people uncomfortable talking about sex education in India?

Ans: People are uncomfortable discussing this topic, and the main problem is that people are not interested in knowing about their bodies and sexual needs and find it vulgar.