Sex seems to be one of the most ‘sacred’ topics in African homes. Over the years, African parents and the society at large have contemplated whether to discuss sex with their kids or just sit on the corner and wait for the kids to pop the question. Half the time, the questions don’t come and then parents resolve to mind reading and physical observation, which are marred by uncertainty and fear.
Today, we can almost say times have changed, but not across board. Some parents are making the move, while others are yet to figure whether it’s their responsibility or not.
Sex education can take place in various settings including the family, school, peers and religious institutions. In these different contexts, different people have the opportunity and responsibility to provide sex education for young people.
Family – Parents
At home, young people can easily have one-to-one discussions with parents or caregivers which focus on specific issues, questions or concerns. They can have a dialogue about their attitudes and views. Sex education at home also tends to take place over a long time, and involve lots of short interactions between parents and children. As young people get older, advantage can be taken of opportunities provided by things seen on television for example, as an opportunity to initiate conversation. It is also important not to defer dealing with a question or issue for too long as it can suggest that you are unwilling to talk about it. There is evidence that positive parent-child communication about sexual matters can lead to greater condom use among young men and a lower rate of teenage conception among young women.
Peers
In some countries, the involvement of young people themselves in developing and providing sex education has increased as a means of ensuring the relevance and accessibility of provision. Consultation with young people at the point when programmes are designed, helps ensure that they are relevant and the involvement of young people in delivering programmes may reinforce messages as they model attitudes and behaviour to their peers. As part of their school-based ‘Sex and Relationship Education‘ programme, some UK-based organization involves peer-educators to achieve positive behaviour change among students aged 13 and 14, with an aim to reduce the rates of first intercourse before the age of 16.
School – Teachers
In school the interaction between the teacher and young people takes a different form and is often provided in organized blocks of lessons. It is not as well suited to advising the individual as it is to providing information from an impartial point of view. The most effective sex education acknowledges the different contributions each setting can make. School programmes which involve parents, notifying them what is being taught and when, can support the initiation of dialogue at home.
Religious Institutions
Christianity and Islam like other religious bodies emphasize on the moral lives of their followers. Hence, they preach against pre-marital sex amongst young people and the dangers of fornication. Just like the indulgence of parents in school teachings, religious institutions expect parents to further discuss messages with their children when they get home.
Now, we went online to see what some people have said and are saying about sex education; you can read people’s comments and share yours with us.
Greatgod2012 (F)
Both the parents and the school but it has to start from the parents. Also, parents do the largest part. And BTW, sex education shouldn’t be delayed till teenage years, it actually starts earlier in simple terms that they can easily understand.
Guykhena (M)
Umm I think the school… because parents aren’t always comfortable bringing such topics up to their kids (there’s always an awkward moment). So, for me, I think the School is the safest bet.
Horlah005 (M)
Under normal circumstances, it should be parent but Parent of this ‘New World‘ find it absurd to discuss such with their offspring. Perhaps, teacher on the other hand is not viable to disclose such in ‘School’. My opinion.
Englishmart (M)
My parent never thought me sex education. My school didn’t either… Learning by experience since 2002, but I’ve thought my younger ones sha. Including my babe too… Her own is more of practical than theory.
KillerBeauty (F)
It’s supposed to be parents, but there is a 50 percent possibility that the parents would not teach the child. That’s where the school comes in to play their part. If school fails peer group will never fail.
SimplyOJ (M)
Both parents and school should be responsible, but a greater responsibility lies with the parents. Sex education should not be viewed as a one big talk fixed for a special day, rather a continuous conversation between the parents and their wards, which can even start as early as 3years by first making them understand the basic areas of their bodies and puberty and as time goes, they are introduced into other grey areas using very simple words. Such conversations between parents and their kids establishes confidence and assurance in the child which will always make him or her to open up to their parents if they are faced with other conflicting views elsewhere on sexuality.
AfricanApple (F)
It’s the responsibility of the parents, but teachers have their roles to play and do not forget that they have many kids to take care of, therefore they can’t solely concentrate on one child. Parents should summon the courage and kill that shyness to teach their children what needs to be known. The reason why parents find it difficult to talk to their kids about these things in the first place is because of how we have been brainwashed by ancient belief that sex should be something of secret, forbidden to be talked about, never to be thought about except in respect to reproduction…imagine the Hypocrisy… we still have that instinct in us.
Littlemistress (F)
The parents; especially the mother is the first friend and teacher of a child. If the parents fail in a sensitive and important issue as this, there’s little the teachers at school can do. Peer pressure is another aspect the teachers at school can’t do much about.
Freecocoa (F)
I’m giving my kids sex education just like my mum gave us on so many occasions, dad even chipped in sometimes.
Damiso (F)
Parents, to a larger extent laying the right foundations from an early age. I know the school will eventually, but in the UK I am not too comfortable with some elements like a school nurse being able to give my 13 year old daughter contraceptive pills on prescription without parental consent.
Styno22 (M)
Most parent are shy to talk to their children about sex, to my own opinion teachers are supposed to educate children about sex because they can freely teach the children without being shy to explain all they need to know about it. It is left for parents to coordinate the activities of their children at home by what they watch, read and interact with at home.
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