Attitude of Parents Towards the Study of Sex Education in Secondary Schools
Abstract of Attitude of Parents Towards the Study of Sex Education in Secondary Schools
Early sex education among our youths is very vital. This study was conducted to examine the attitude of parents towards the study of sex education in secondary schools in an enlightened community like the University of Benin, Benin City. Data was obtained through the use of questionnaire. A total of 200 questionnaires were distributed to parents in five (5) different faculties. This study utilizes the survey design employing simple random sampling technique in gathering data on the study. Statistical Product and Service Solution, SPSS 16.0 was used for the data analysis. Results were written using simple percentages and frequency tables. The respondents included 95 males and 105 females. The responses from the questionnaire shows that 92% of our parents in these faculties have a positive attitude towards the study of sex education in secondary schools, 58.5% of the respondents cultural beliefs influence their attitudes towards the study of sex education in schools and the teachers qualification in health education also has an influence on their attitude towards the study of sex education in secondary schools. This research shows that parents want their children to be informed about sex and their sexual health by educators who have the skill and qualification to do so; however they want to be informed about the programs to be delivered in their child’s school.
Chapter One of Attitude of Parents Towards the Study of Sex Education in Secondary Schools
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
There comes a time in a child’s life when he/she runs excitedly to the mother, exclaiming about the changes taking place in his body. These changes includes, the breast enlargement, appearance of pubic and armpit hairs, but to his surprise, the mother shuts him down. This can send a wrong signal to the child. This response goes a long way in shaping the child’s sexual life. The child who is in need of answers to the questions his body keeps asking cannot share his thoughts as he avoids been rejected or laughed at by his peer groups. The child then grows up with a burden on him. He gets to the school and even when such topics are mentioned, he does not want to be a part of it. For children to grow into healthy adults, they need information about their sexual health. The process or ways in which the knowledge is been transmitted to the child matters a lot. The human sexuality has biological, emotional/physical and spiritual aspects. The biological aspect of his sexuality refers to the reproductive mechanism as well as the basic biological drive (libido). The emotional/physical aspect of sexuality refers to the bond that exists between individuals. This is expressed thoroughly through profound feelings or physical manifestations’ of love, trust and care. The spiritual aspect of sexuality has to do with the individual’s connection to others. Experience has also shown that adolescents are curious about some or all aspects of their sexuality. (www.sexeducation.com). Years of research shows that children and youths who are knowledgeable about their sexual health are more resistant to sexual abuse, older when they engage in sexual activities and more likely to protect themselves from pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. (Vancouver Island Health Authority-Health Choices Program). Some International Organization such as the Planned Parenthood Federation consider that broad sex education programs have global benefits such as controlling the risk of over population and the advancement of women’s reproductive rights. Sex education enables the youth to know more about the biological development of their bodies. Common Avenue for sex education includes parents, formal school programs and public health campaigns. When sex education is taught in schools, students are able to understand the physiological, social and emotional changes they experience. As they mature, they develop healthy and rewarding relationships. They make wise, informed and responsible decisions on sexuality matters. However, parents who are the primary care givers have a role to play in the incorporation of sex education in schools. They are responsible for the health and moral values of their children. As parents, it is expected to teach, guide and nurture your child through childhood and adolescence towards adulthood and also providing them with skills and knowledge to make safe life choices on matters concerning their overall wellbeing. They need to know about sex and reproduction not just that which was taught at schools but from you also. It also becomes obvious that there is no right or wrong age at which to teach the child about sex. Questions need to be answered honestly-on an “I need to know” basis. In other words, the knowledge given to the child at home aids his understanding of the concept been taught at school. Open communication channels are vital to ensure that your child has knowledge of the human reproduction. Burt (2009) defined sex education as “the study of the characteristics of being; a male or a female.” Sex education includes all the educational measures which in any way may have their center on sex. He further said that sex education stands for protection, preservation, extension, improvement and development of the family based on accepted ethical ideas. Kearney sees sex education as “involving a comprehensive course of action by the school, calculated to bring about the socially desirable attitudes, practices and personal conduct on the part of children and adults that will best protect the individual as a human and the family as a social institution.” This means that sex education may also be described as ‘sexuality education’. It encompasses education about all aspects of sexuality, including information about family planning, information about reproduction, all aspects of one’s sexuality and how to avoid them. Various aspects of sex education are to be appropriately taught in schools depending on the age of the child and what they are able to comprehend at a particular time. It can be taught as a full course which is part of the curriculum in junior secondary or senior secondary schools; other times a unit is just been taught either during biology class or health class. It should be noted that parents and guardians are a primary and important source of sexual health education for young people (King et al 1988).