Necessity of ex Education to Teenagers

By NIRAKAR POUDEL

In an exceedingly conservative society like ours, where free conversation about reproductive health and sexual health is considered indecent, adolescent are compelled to carry negative conception about sex and reproductive health. There is need of proper counseling and guidance to adolescents about sexual health. Sex is a very important biological need. The attitudes and views about sex varies in different society. Western societies are quite open in the issue of sex and reproductive health. On the contrary, in our society, discussion about sex is considered offensive. People feel ashamed to talk about this sensitive matter. Parents feel loath in replying their children’s query about reproductive health. If this conventional notion about sex remains unchanged, then we can never solve the existing problems that originate from misconception about this matter.

There is gender disparity in our society which makes it difficult for a girl to seek proper advice about reproductive health from her seniors. Even a girl from educated family background feels reluctant to share her feelings with her parents. So, we can imagine the situation of a girl from a poor and uneducated family background. Different physical changes like widening of pelvis, enlargement of breasts, appearance of pubic hair, hairs in armpits take place during adolescence. Menstruation cycle begins in adolescent girls. An adolescent girl needs proper advice about menstruation cycle and physical changes that take place in this period. If proper counseling is not given then it may result in negative consequences. In our male dominated society, women feel themselves weaker; they lack confidence in their capability. Though women have made a lot of progress in recent years by competing with men in all sectors, participating in decision making, it (the progress) has been confined to urban areas only. Girls feel reluctant to share information about sex with their friends. Many girls are obliged to disguise their problems and curiosity because of our social norms and values.

The attitude of our society to relationship between persons of opposite sex is negative. Though there are innumerable schools that provide coeducation, interaction between girls and boys are very less. Unlike the adolescents of western countries, adolescents of our country feel reluctant in making friends of opposite pairs. Parents also discourage their children to do so. When two persons of opposite sex talk or joke then we think them as lovers. In fact it is the influence of our society because of which many people cannot consider two persons of opposite sex as friends. So, in these circumstances we cannot expect girls and boys to talk about reproductive health openly. In recent years, the attitude of relationship between boys and girls is transforming in urban area. Because of western influence and modernization boys and girls have started establishing healthy intimacy with each others.

There must be good understanding among family members. Parents must guide their children properly. They must share facts about reproductive health with their children and advice if in case their children are in trouble. Prompt answer to their children’s query is essential. In some families parents even rebuke and punish their children if they ask any questions about sex and some parents try to elude the question. It may cause disturbance in relationships in family.

There are many negative consequences caused by lack of sexual education. Premarital sex and premature sexual relationship is caused by limited knowledge of reproductive health. The illegal business of porno films is also booming. Children who are not properly guided can easily be influenced by their friends and other peoples and watch such adult films. Many teenagers also visit brothels, dance restaurants. In Nepal , victims of HIV/AIDS are increasing annually. The infection b y Sexually Transmitted Diseases like gonorrhea, syphilis is also caused by poor understanding of reproductive health. Scarce knowledge about this vital topic can mislead teenagers and build up misconception, which in long term may be risky and unsafe.

To conclude, there is a need of absolute change in the issue regarding sex and reproductive health. Our society must be transformed from opaque to a transparent one in order to instill good knowledge and concept. Healthy interaction between girls and boys and good understanding among family members is vital for the development of healthy society.