Sex Education for Child

Human sexuality has biological, emotional/physical or spiritual aspects. The biological aspect of sexuality refers to the reproductive mechanism as well as the basic biological drive that exists in all species, which is hormonally controlled. The emotional or physical aspect of sexuality refers to the bond that exists between individuals, and is expressed through profound feelings or physical manifestations of emotions of love, trust, and caring. There is also a spiritual aspect of sexuality of an individual or as a connection with others. Experience has shown that adolesents are curious about some or all the aspecs of their sexuality as well as the nature of sexuality in general, and that many will wish to experience their sexuality.

Traditionally, adolescents were not given any information on sexual matters, with discussion of these issues being considered taboo. Such instruction as was given was traditionally left to a child's parents, and often this was put off until just before a child's marriage. Most of the information on sexual matters were obtained informally from friends and the media, and much of this information was of doubtful value. Much of such information was usually known to be deficient, especially during the period following puberty when curiosity of sexual matters was the most acute. This deficiency became increasingly evident by the increasing incidence of teenage pregnancies, especially in Western countries after the 1960s. As part of each country's efforts to reduce such pregnancies, programs of sex education were instituted, initially over strong opposition from parent and religious groups.

Macnab (2004) outlined some general objectives for family life and sex education in accordance with Illinois sex education act. These include:

1. To make affection, sex and love constructive rather than destructive forces in society.
2. To develop feelings of identity,respect and responsibility as an integral part of ones own development.
3. To understand and appreciate the sexual side of human nature so that their own psycho-sexual development may occur as normally as possible.
4. To learn that human sexual behaviour is not merely a personal and private matter but has important social, moral and religious implications.
5. To learn about the dangers of illicit sexual behaviour.
6. To emphasize the case of premarital chastity as the sexual standard approved by our society because chastity provides a positive goal for teenagers linking human sexual behaviour with love, marriage, parenthood and family life.
7. To open channels of communication between children (students) and their teachers concerning the meaning, significance and potential values of sex in human life so that students will find it easier to seek information from reliable sources rather than relying on hearsay or misconceptions.
8. To understand that boy/girl, man/woman relationship of the right kind can lead to enjoyment and give meaning to their lives.
9. To develop a healthy, wholesome attitude towards sex in human beings including respect for their bodies as an integral part of their personality.
10. To appreciate the significance of sexual difference in girls and boys and male-female sexual roles in our society.
11. To understand how to deal with personal sexual problems such as menstruation, nocturnal emissions, masturbation and personal hygiene.
12. To learn the key parts and basic concepts of venereal diseases and the role of teenagers and young adults in the prevention and control of these important communicable diseases.