Table of contents:
- Sexual education in adolescents
- Parents are part of sex education
- How do parents provide sexual education to children?
Until now, sexual education has not been fully included in the official education curriculum in schools in Indonesia. The discussion given is still very, very limited. Whereas sexual education in adolescents is very important to protect adolescents from unwanted pregnancies and to prevent transmission of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV / AIDS.
Discussions related to sexual reproductive health are often considered taboo and not worth talking about especially for teenagers, even though this information is very important to know. Schools, teachers and parents play an important role in providing this understanding.
Sexual education in adolescents
The number of adolescents infected with HIV / AIDS in Indonesia is increasingly alarming. The Ministry of Health noted that the highest number of HIV infections occurred in the productive age group 25-49 years, followed by the 20-24 year age group. This fact makes sexual education, including the risk of transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, very important starting at the age of the child.
A study conducted by Padjadjaran University in 2018 said that ignorance was one of the triggers for an increase in the number of sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents.
Data from the Ministry of Health and KPAI record that 62% of adolescents have had sex outside of marriage. Another fact, 20% of pregnant women out of wedlock are teenagers, of which 21% have had abortions.
In addition, the Integrated Biological and Behavioral Survey Data for 2018-2019 recorded that the average commercial sex worker (CSW) had vaginal and anal sex for the first time at the age of 18, with the youngest being 14 years and the oldest at 20 years old.
By looking at these data, the need for education related to reproductive health is important. Because sex education can play an important role in preparing adolescents for a safe, productive life, avoiding sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), unwanted pregnancies, and gender-based violence.
The World Health Organization (WHO) proposes that sexual education should be designed to help students understand aspects of sexuality and reproductive health. Educational material is also expected to contain matters of respecting other people's boundaries, adolescent relationship ethics or dating ethics, to the use of social media.
The focus of sexual education is to empower and prepare children and adolescents to become responsible adults and capable of building healthy relationships.
Not teaching children about reproductive health does not mean keeping children away from risky sexual behavior. The WHO recommends that guidelines for sexual education in secondary schools should help adolescents understand the arguments for sexual activity and what the consequences are.
Parents are part of sex education
Sexual education in adolescents should be started through conversations between parents and children. Unfortunately, research shows that most parents in Indonesia do not discuss sexuality and reproductive health with their children.
Whereas in this era of open information, the involvement of parents and the community is more needed than ever. Research in the UK says that elementary schools often have to inform parents about sexual education materials and methods. This study recommends forming a collaboration between teachers and parents regarding sexual reproductive health materials to make it harmonious.
How do parents provide sexual education to children?
A specialist in skin and genitalia, Yudo Irawan Sp.KK (K), gave some tips that need to be considered by parents in delivering sexual education to children.
"Do not make it a habit of giving other words in referring to genitals, that is a habit that has already taken root," said Yudo in a webinar with the theme Strengthen Collaboration, Increase Solidarity on Monday (30/11). The webinar was organized by the Indonesian Dermatology and Venereology Association and Durex Eduka5eks PT. Reckitt Benckiser Indonesia.
Yudo emphasized that parents mention the real name of the organ, for example by directly mentioning the penis rather than replacing it with the term sausage or bird or mentioning vagina, not apem cake.
"It is sexual education from an early age. Parents need to tell them what their function is, how to look after them, and be responsible for these organs, ”explained Yudo.
In delivering sexual education to adolescents, parents must be good at communicating in two directions and giving children space for discussion.
“Parents usually dictate suspiciously. Try going back to the way mother and child communicate, they prefer to be chatting with them, invited to have discussions like tagline we are # Chattinginaja, "added dr. Helena Rahayu, Project Director of Reckitt Benckiser Indonesia.
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