Sexuality in schools

First step forward, its a good move to finally bring sex to the classroom. The only thing the educators need to be wary about is not to gear the syllabus into an enhanced morality class -- sex education should teach us what sex is, what is responsible & safe sex, and, if it be your choice, how to say "NO" effectively and resist peer pressure. Leave the morality to the agama and moral classes -- that's what they are there for.

By bringing these topics into the classroom and lifting the veil on these taboo subjects, the Government hopes Malaysians will become more respectful of gender and sexuality. In the long term, it hopes to drive down the number of sex crimes.

via NST.

Sex has always been a taboo subject for Malaysians, and i really don't envy the task lying ahead of the educators selected to pilot the syllabus in schools. But i do applaud them for the effort.

What i've noticed is that while the educated, urban Malaysian is generally not ignorant about sex, they do tend to be quite uncertain about their sexuality. There is a lot of doubt about the experiences attached to sex: how should i feel? am i doing something wrong? sex is intercourse, but what does it mean to men and women -- is there a difference? how do i deal with the emotions of sex?

Sexual myths should also be debunked: i can't get pregnant if he doesn't ejaculate inside of me; cunnilingus isn't sex; i am a bad person if i enjoy sex; men who have sex with many partners are macho, women who have sex with many men are sluts; if i masturbate, hair will grow on my palms/i'll go blind -- the list is a long and, at times, very complicated.

The education system has an opportunity here to set things right for so many Malaysians. We may try to deny it (or at least never admit it in polite conversation), but sex has a significant influence on the our lives and physical and mental health. It makes perfect sense to educate ourselves about it.

But, having said that -- if the syllabus turns out poorly ("Thou art a sinner and shall burn in Hell forever if you have pre-marital sex"-sorta way), then perhaps its better to remain ignorant.