Prevailing Need for Sex Education in the Indian Education Setting

Abstract

Sex is a very sensitive and personal topic. Public discussions on sexual matters is considered as a shameful experience, especially in India. Most of us do not talk openly about the topic in front of our elders; while some of the others, don’t even know about the whole concept of the sexual intercourse. Talking about sex is becoming more normalized because of the technological interventions and also because more people are becoming aware of it. Sex Education have actually paid a very important role behind it. The real purpose behind sex education is the transfiguration of a male child into their manhood and female child into their womanhood. Sex education provides knowledge on physical, social, moral, behavioral and psychological changes and developments during puberty. It teaches the adolescents about their roles, responsibilities and attitudes in family and society. Due to increasing incidents of sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS, sexual crimes and teenage pregnancies, there is a need to impart sex education among adolescents. Also, not just biological specifics, sex education can also help regulate teen emotions and values towards intra personal and interpersonal relationships in the society. This paper aims at informing about the necessity of Sex Education in the Indian context; and why its lack is detrimental in the growth of adolescents.