Many decades ago
(I mean literally), when I was in class 10th, I had my first
scientific acquaintance with sex education. We had one chapter on Human reproductive
system in our Biology class (Yup, both the male and female organs). Our
Biology teacher was Mr. Kanagachalam and since these subjects were a taboo at
that point, this class was kept for the last day before revisions start.
Studying in co-education, we were both eager and embarrassed to attend this
class. We waited impatiently for our Biology teacher wondering if we had to
look up when he was addressing the class.
As we broke into
our groups chatting and laughing, we see our neighboring class Biology teacher
enter our class. When we saw Ms. Karthikeyani enter our class, we all were
speechless as she was dreaded by the entire students. She was one of those
teachers, irrelevant you attend her class or not, students just feared her. Students
who were flirting and loitering in the corridor during their free time would
just vanish without a trace (Talk about Houdini and his magic trips; he
should learn from these people on how to vanish).
We greeted her
and sat down not realizing all of us were holding our breath wondering what is
going to happen. The class started and now when I think about it, I guess it
was a small section (3 or 4 paragraphs probably) on the so-called Reproductive
System, which I guess from the time we got our Biology textbooks was a topic of
discussion. The next 40 minutes was the most hilarious session I have ever had.
She is one of the best teachers I have ever had. (Yup few unbiased teachers
who treated every student equally) Even the last benchers will pay
attention, and not just cos of the fear of getting her wrath but also how
interesting her teaching pattern was. You can write your exams confidently
after attending her classes.
Anyways the
class started with all the scientific jargons and functionality. Some strange
sounding terms likes testes, ovaries were mentioned and before we could figure
out the ins and outs of the human reproductive system, the class got over in 10
minutes and the next 30 minutes was more of scolding us on how we need to
behave etc. Luckily the question never came in our board exams and hence we did
not have to draw the organs on paper either.
As times have
changed, I heard sex is discussed freely in classrooms and teachers are facilitating
a session on Adolescent Education / Sex Education. We have come a long way but
am curious will this go down in History books as how the entire awareness has
evolved.
A few days back,
I bought up this subject with a very young friend who is in her teens. “I have
no clue aunty on why mummy and you are creating so much hue and cry for talking
about safe sex, women’s menstrual issues etc. We are much aware, and we will
definitely practice safe sex.”
Well, when this
conversation was happening, one of my friends (not me) hurriedly left the room
stating she needs to check on something. I wondered if she is aware the legal
age of consent in India is 16. Later when I was alone with my friend, she shook
her head and said, “This is the cause of rising teenage pregnancies as kids get
curious when we have all these unnecessary sessions in the name of awareness”.
I argued that it is something that is happening, and it is good to spread the
awareness to kids rather them being ignorant. The discussion was left there as
we both were adamant on our logic.
I asked someone
else, how would she react if her teenage child came with their
girlfriend/boyfriend and locked themselves in their room in the name of
privacy. Her immediate response was “No way! I am shuddering thinking of that.
That’s one of the reasons, I have removed the latches from their room. I have
told my son his friends are definitely invited, and they are allowed to sit in
the common rooms. I have also had a chat with my son for which he told me he
knows he has to complete his education and he will not break the trust”.
As a society are,
we still ready for sex education and conversation with one’s kid on safe sex? I
don’t think so. I feel kids are better off learning on their own through the
sessions in schools etc. than getting stuck in such a stage where they end up
being judged.
And finally, the
reason why my sex education ended in Class 10th, though I scored 98%
in Biology was I chose Non-Science in my 11th as I dreaded more
similar sessions.
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