What is sex education

 Sex education is high quality teaching and
learning about a broad variety of topics related
to sex and sexuality, exploring values and
beliefs about those topics and gaining the skills
that are needed to navigate relationships and
manage one’s own sexual health. Sex
education may take place in schools, in
community settings, or online. Planned
Parenthood believes that parents play a critical
and central role in providing sex education

 Human Development (including reproduction, puberty,
sexual orientation, and gender identity)
 Relationships (including families, friendships, romantic
relationships and dating)
 Personal Skills (including communication, negotiation, and
decision-making)
 Sexual Behavior (including abstinence and sexuality
throughout life)
 Sexual Health (including sexually transmitted diseases,
contraception, and pregnancy)
 Society and Culture (including gender roles, diversity, and
sexuality in the media)

 The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United
States (SIECUS) Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality
Education was developed by a national task force of experts in
the field of adolescent development, health care, and education.
They provide a framework of the key concepts, topics, and
messages that all sexuality education programs would ideally
include.
 The Future of Sex Education Initiative (FoSE) seeks to create a
national dialogue about the future of sex education and to
promote the institutionalization of comprehensive sexuality
education in public schools. They have developed the first-
ever National Sexuality Education Standards, National Teacher
Preparation Standards and many additional toolkits and
materials to strengthen comprehensive sexuality education
implementation and professional development.

 Planned Parenthood education staff reach 1.5 million individuals each
year, and 64% of those individuals are middle school and high school
aged youth.
 Planned Parenthood education departments provide a robust range of
programming options, including:
 Evidence-Based education programs for young people, adults and
priority populations
 Peer Education Programs
 Promotores Programs and other community-driven, culturally relevant
health education programs.
 Parent/Family Education Programs
 LGBTQ-focused Programs for LGBTQ youth and their
parents/caregivers.
 Training of Professionals, including educators and school-staff,
community-based organization staff, and faith-based leaders.
 Outreach and Single Session Workshops

 The best sex education resource is your local Planned Parenthood education department!
 There are also many other resources available to inform and guide sex education programs and policies:
 Advocates for Youth
Advocates for Youth partners with youth leaders, adult allies, and youth-serving organizations to advocate for
policies and champion programs that recognize young people’s rights to honest sexual health information and
accessible, confidential, and affordable sexual health services.
 Answer
Answer provides high-quality training to teachers and other youth-serving professionals.
 Bedsider
Bedsider is an online birth control support network for women 18-29 operated by The National Campaign to
Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.
 ETR Associates
ETR offers science-based health and education products and programs for health professionals, educators and
consumers throughout the United States.
 The Guttmacher Institute
The Guttmacher Institute is a leading research and policy organization committed to advancing sexual and
reproductive health and rights in the United States and globally through high-quality research, evidence-based
advocacy, and strategic communications.
 Future of Sex Education
The Future of Sex Education Initiative (FoSE) was launched as a partnership between Advocates for Youth,
Answer, and the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS) to create a national dialogue
about the future of sex education and to promote comprehensive sexuality education in public schools.

 Sex education is designed to help young
people gain the information, skills and
motivation to make healthy decisions about
sex and sexuality throughout their lives.

 Research on sex education has focused on whether programs
help young people to change specific behaviors related to
preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases such
as:
 Delaying sex until they are older
 Using condoms and contraception when they do have sex
 Reducing the frequency of sex
 Reducing the number of sexual partners
 Hundreds of studies have shown that sex education can have a
positive effect on these behaviors, particularly when sex
education programs incorporate all of the following seventeen
key characteristics as developed by Douglas Kirby from
the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned
Pregnancy:

 Evidence Based Interventions are programs
that have been proven effective on the basis of
at least one rigorous research study. Since
2009, the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services has sponsored
an independent systematic review of the teen
pregnancy prevention literature to identify
programs with evidence of effectiveness in
reducing teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted
infections, and associated sexual risk
behaviors. There are currently 44 programs that
are featured on the evidence list.

 Traditionally, adolescents in many cultures were not given any
information on sexual matters, with the discussion of these issues
being considered taboo. Such instruction, as was given, was
traditionally left to a child's parents, and often this was put off until just
before a child's marriage. The progressive education movement of the
late 19th century, however, led to the introduction of "social hygiene" in
North American school curricula and the advent of school-based sex
education.[1] Despite early inroads of school-based sex education,
most of the information on sexual matters in the mid-20th century was
obtained informally from friends and the media, and much of this
information was deficient or of dubious value, especially during the
period following puberty, when curiosity about sexual matters was the
most acute. This deficiency was heightened by the increasing
incidence of teenage pregnancies, particularly in Western countries
after the 1960s. As part of each country's efforts to reduce such
pregnancies, programs of sex education were introduced, initially over
strong opposition from parent and religious groups.

 Evidence shows that a combination of comprehensive sex education and access to birth control
appears to decrease the rates of unintended pregnancies among teenagers.[10] A meta-analysis
that compared comprehensive sex education programs with abstinence-only programs found
that abstinence-only programs did not reduce the likelihood of pregnancy, but rather may have
increased it.[11] Numerous studies show that curricula providing accurate information about
condoms and contraception can lead to reductions in the risky behaviors reported by young
people as well as reductions in unintended pregnancies and STIs.[12] Programs that teach only
abstinence have not been shown to be effective.[12]
 According to UNFPA, "A 2010 review found that 'gender-focused' curricula – meaning curricula
that integrate gender equality into the learning material – were substantially more effective in
reducing risky behaviors than programmes that did not consider gender."[12] Research has also
shown that delay in sexual initiation, use of condoms and practice contraception has been a
result of young people adopting egalitarian attitudes about gender roles. These individuals were
also found to be less likely engaged in violent relationships and have a lower rate of STIs
including HIV and unintended pregnancy.[12]
 By emphasizing rights and gender issues, these programs help reduce gender-based violence
and bullying, promote safe schools, empower young people to advocate for their own rights, and
advance gender equality.[12]
 "Few sexual health interventions are designed with input from adolescents. Adolescents have
suggested that sex education should be more positive with less emphasis on anatomy and scare
tactics; it should focus on negotiation skills in sexual relationships and communication; and
details of sexual health clinics should be advertised in areas that adolescents frequent (for
example, school toilets, shopping centres)."[13]

 Sex Education is probably one of the sensitive topics as far as
the Philippines is concerned. It has been a subject of debate
whether to incorporate this in the school curriculum. The reason
behind it is to address the problems of pre-marital sex and
teenage pregnancies among teenagers, and to check the
spread of sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs).
 Most recently, the Department of Health announced a plan to
distribute condoms to high school students. They said this is in
conjunction with introducing sex education to these students in
order to address the aforementioned problems.
 This move was met with strong if not harsh criticism from the
conservatives of society. While the aforementioned measure will
address the said problems, the issue here is whether the youth
are mature enough to understand the nature of sex.

 Girls are often the ones who pay for the consequences when
they get pregnant. Their lack of maturity makes them vulnerable
when pressured by their boyfriends to have sex as a way to
demonstrate their love. But the moment they get pregnant, they
are the ones who often run away from potential responsibilities
of being a parent. This is because they have not reached that
stage where they can fully grasp he meaning of love.
 Given this alarming information, the government through the
Department of Education feels it is Sex Education must be
included in the curriculum of schools, especially to Middle
School and High School students because they belong to the
age group considered “vulnerable.” Emphasis will be placed on
educating the youth on how the reproductive system works.

 MANILA, Philippines – Comprehensive sexual education (CSE), a
"critical piece" of the reproductive health (RH) law, still "leaves
something to be desired," according to the country representative of
the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to the Philippines.
 "I think the emphasis from the highest level of government to really
implement comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is a critical piece
because that means that it drives how everyone who works within the
bureaucracy is able to act, and that was missing in the past," Klaus
Beck told Rappler after a press conference on Thursday, July 7.
 While the RH bill was finally enacted under the Aquino administration,
its implementation was delayed by legal questions raised by its critics
before the Supreme Court.
 It took the High Court two years to declare the law constitutional. The
health department started fully implementing it months after.
(READ: Meeting RH-related SDG targets: 'Work must start from Day
1')

 'Nothing irreligous' about sex ed
 Beck on Thursday debunked again the misconception that young people have
more sex when they learn about sexual education in schools.
 "Studies clearly show that's not the case….It does not promote sex, but helps
delay sex. They can do it much more responsibly – that's the key difference
there."
 National Economic and Development Authority chief Ernesto Pernia said the
Duterte administration will go "full speed ahead" in implementing sexuality
education in the country as it is "one sure way" to reduce teenage pregnancies
and unwanted pregnancies. (READ: To avoid RH law delays, economic
planning chief proposes Duterte EO)
 "The problem with sexuality, it's a turn off for a religious country like the
Philippines, but there's really nothing irreligious...ungodly about it," Pernia
explained.
 "In fact, it's very godly, because I think God does not want couples to have
more children than they can afford because...improving their lives, achieving
dignified and self-fulfilling lives, is going to be impossible for many of these
children who are not properly planned by the parents."

 CAPIZ, Philippines - The boys stand up one by one to introduce
themselves. They get past the part about their name and age without
difficulty, but stammer when it gets to answering the last question: Who
is your crush?
 In that moment of hesitation, the other boys pounce. If the boy
standing offers no name, the other boys will make a display of their
disbelief, rattling off the name of a girl, sometimes a number of
different girls.
 If a boy does say an actual name, the others will cheer and hoot some
more.
 The light of the afternoon sun shining in their classroom makes it
difficult to tell for sure, but it is a fair assumption to say that underneath
their good-natured teasing and heckling, these teenage boys are
actually blushing.
 In the next room, a group of teenage girls are having the same
discussion with much more subdued giggles, but with a similar shade
of crimson rising to their cheeks.

 It’s about time
 “This is the time (high school) that girls get their period and
when boys start having wet dreams. This is the start of the
reproductive health years when these young adolescents
need information to help them make sense of these
hormonal changes,” said Dr. Anabelle Fajardo, executive
director of FPOP.
 According to the 2013 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality
Study (YAFS), among the more than 19,000 youth who
were surveyed, 1 out of 3 Filipinos between the ages of
20-24 have had casual sex.
 YAFS estimates that 1.4 million young people have
engaged in casual sex, with about 600,000 having had
FUBU or f*ck buddy.

 Different generation, different needs
 “The needs of young people are different now,” said Ronilo Tu, principal of
Maayon National High School. Tu has spent many years in the education
sector across different schools.
 “Before, our major problem was over the bakod (going over the fence) to cut
classes. Now, we encounter cyberbullying, violence and teen pregnancy. We
educators, together with parents, need to adapt to these changes so we can
address them,” said Tu.
 Parents were informed about the family planning sessions and it was met with
no opposition.
 “The information that the students get here can be passed on to older brothers
and sisters and even their parents. We see this as benefitting the entire
community,” said Tu.
 Under the Reproductive Health Law, comprehensive sexuality education taught
in a way that matches the age of the students should be made part of the
school curriculum. However, a training of teachers on sexuality modules will
need to be done before this can be fully implemented.
 Meanwhile, teen pregnancy rates continue to climb. The United Nations
Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates that from 2000-2010 more than 60% of
Filipinas became mothers before they were the age of 20.

 In this day of rising teenage pregnancies, HIV infections, and risky
sexual behaviors among young people, it makes sense for schools to
conduct classes on comprehensive sexuality education.
 Not so for over a thousand Catholic schools nationwide. As far as the
Catholic Church’s hierarchy is concerned, sexuality education has no
place in Catholic schools even as their students are confronted with
the same challenges as the rest of the country’s youth.
 This view, however, is not shared by Catholic teachers and educators.
They are instrumental in developing a teaching material on sexuality
education that can be integrated in elementary, high school, and
college curriculums.
 Called the Population and Development Education Teaching Modules
for Catholic Schools and released in 2009, it came out of their
expressed need for learning resources on population and
development, or popdev, and human sexuality that are consistent with
Catholic teachings and values.

 I was disappointed by the decision,” recalls Dr.
Connie Gultiano, a demographer from the
University of San Carlos who was one of the main
writers of the book.
 “Our modules were rejected unless, they said, we
made radical and extensive changes in its contents
– an instruction we refused to follow since this
would run counter to our scientific and academic
approach to popdev education,” she adds. “Among
other things, they wanted the book to state
categorically that masturbation is a sin, that
homosexuality is a sin, something that will
compromise the book’s scientific accuracy and
maybe even antagonize the students.”

 Public schools
 The bishops’ rejection is not the end of the book, however.
 “The Commission on Population, starting with its Popcom Region 8 and eventually picked up by
other regions, found the modules a useful tool to advocate for sexuality education in public
schools. It then partnered with DepEd regional or provincial officials to use them in teaching
popdev and human sexuality in their schools,” relates Gultiano. “They also understood that the
‘Catholic values’ integrated in the modules were, in fact, universal values and could serve
students of all religions…. They saw our popdeved modules not only as a sound approach to
popdev and human sexuality education but also as a good compromise with the Catholic
Church’s teachings.”
 Rixhon refuses to let the bishops’ “rejection” get in the way of the modules being used by other
schools and organizations that are providing sexuality education to young people.
 “PCPD has developed a resource package based on the modules. We have asked the
Knowledge Channel to translate them into a series of video stories called Kwentong Kartero.
They are now shown in Knowledge Channel and disseminated in all Knowledge Channel partner
scteachers from Metro Manila and eight of the country’s 13 regions have been provided training
on how to integrate the modules in their lessons on science, health, social studies, and values
formation.
 hools. Together with Popcom and DepEd regional offices, we conduct training for teachers. We
are also funding a summer certificate course for teachers at the University of San Carlos to
deepen their knowledge and skills in teaching popdev,” she says.
 To date, public school

 Only to older students.
 If sex education did not exist, I believe there
would be many children pregnant from
experimenting and there would be a LOT of
STIs around! However, I don't think that
anybody in primary school should be taught sex
education. Especially not children who are
meerly five years old as recently been
discovered! The innocence of children should
remain!

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