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INTRODUCTION

Sex education, which is sometimes called sexuality education or sex and

relationships education, is the process of acquiring information and forming attitudes and
beliefs about sex, sexual identity, relationships and intimacy. It is also about developing
young people's skills so that they make informed choices about their behaviour, and feel
confident and competent about acting on these choices. It is widely accepted that young
people have a right to sex education, partly because it is a means by which they are
helped to protect themselves against abuse, exploitation, unintended pregnancies,
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV/AIDS.

Below are a few definitions of what is sex education. There are:

1. “Sexuality education is a lifelong process of acquiring information and forming

attitudes, beliefs, and values. It encompasses sexual development, reproductive
health, interpersonal relationships, affection, intimacy, body image, and gender
roles. Sexuality education addresses the biological, sociocultural, psychological,
and spiritual dimensions of sexuality from the cognitive domain (information); the
affective domain (feelings, values, and attitudes); and the behavioral domain
(communication and decision-making skills). – Issues and Answers: Fact Sheet on
Sexuality Education (Published in the SIECUS Report, Volume 29, Number 6 –
August/September 2001)

2. “Sexuality education includes information about anatomy and physiology,

puberty, pregnancy and STDs, including HIV/AIDS. But it also addresses the
relationships and emotions involved in sexual experience. It approaches sexuality
as a natural, integral and positive part of life, and covers all aspects of becoming
and being a sexual, gendered person. It promotes gender equality, self- esteem
and respect for the rights of others,” – Sexual and Reproductive Health Education
and Services for Adolescents.

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 In Malaysia, increasing of rape cases is one of the important factors why we should
introduce the sex education to young people. Children need to have this knowledge so
that they will be able to avoid from anything bad happened. Actually, sex education
begins at home. From the moment of birth, children learn about love, touch, and
relationships. Infants and toddlers learn about sexuality when their parents talk to them,
dress them, show affection, play with them, and teach them the names of the parts of their
bodies. As children grow into adolescence, they continue to receive messages about
sexual behaviours, attitudes, and values from their families and within their social
environment.

When Should Sex Education Start?

News in The Star, August 21, 2006, Women, Family and Community
Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil says that sex education should be
included in the school curriculum as soon as possible. They need to make sure that
students are educated at an early age and parents must also play a part in giving the right
guidance.

Kids eight years old and below are supposed to learn something about sexuality.
They need not know everything right then and there, but they sure require satisfactory
answers to their questions. Kids of this age are naturally curious and they must have
decided to throw at least one at their parents. But unfortunately, not all parents are there
for their kid’s inquiries. Some kids may have only one parent. Some have none at all. And
more sadly, some have at set of parents who fails to understand what it means to give
their children the right amount of attention. But whichever the case, here are the different
things kids aged 3 to 8 years old have to learn about sex and their sexuality:

1. Boys and girls are different. There are certain body parts that are exclusive to boys and
there are parts that only girls have. Basically, they are called the reproductive organs. And
because they are still kids, these body parts are not yet fully developed. But as they begin

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to grow, several changes are expected. These changes are normal, and so there’s no need
to be afraid.

2. Puberty is the start of adulthood. The changes are going to be apparent as one enters
into puberty. The exact age of puberty cannot be determined as it varies from one person
to another. Some kids enter into it as early as 8 years old. But generally, it happens
between 10 to 12 years of age. At which point, the body suddenly grows very fast.

3. Basic changes in boys. Boys tend to grow 4 inches taller in a matter of just a year. And
to complement this growth, their shoulders starts to widen and their bodies become a lot
muscular as well. Their voice suddenly becomes deeper. Their genitals are enlarged too.
Pubic hair will start to grow and mustache is expected. Boys would also experience
spontaneous erections at this point.

4. Basic changes in girls. Girls will develop during puberty as well. Girls usually gain a
little bit more weight and their hips starts to widen. Their breasts will begin to develop
too. In two years time, girls are going to have their regular menstrual cycle. Girls, and
boys too for that matter, will begin to notice acnes developing in their faces.

5. Emotional changes. Because hormones cause these changes, emotional changes are
also anticipated. Emotional outbursts, confusion, the feeling of being sad and alone, very
strong emotions, and mood changes all happen. These are normal. But just the same, if
any of these emotions seems to be out of proportion, it is always good to consult with a
health professional.

Today’s kids are overly conscious and are highly influenced of what they see and
hear. With the overstated role of media in a child’s life, there are certainly a lot of
misrepresentations and wrong assumptions about sex that have to be corrected. On the
other hand, talking to the children about sex is certainly not an easy job. A lot of parents
actually feel very uncomfortable in doing so. But that should not be enough reason for
them to put the whole thing off. Always remember that part of their child’s future depend
on a good sex education coming from their own parents.

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 The right time to talk to children about sex is during their young and tender ages.
These are the years when children are at their most curious stages. They tend to ask about
anything and everything under the sun. And the most common question children throw at
their parents is how those cute little babies were born. Children could even ask where
they came from before they came to be babies. If parents don’t take the opportunity to tell
their kids about it, they would believe anything else that they hear around them.

Sex education should works starts early, before young people reach puberty, and
before they have developed established patterns of behaviour. The precise age at which
information should be provided depends on the physical, emotional and intellectual
development of the young people as well as their level of understanding. What is covered
and also how it is covered, depends on who is providing the sex education, when they are
providing it, and in what context, as well as what the students to know about.

Sometimes, it is difficult for adults to know when to raise issues, but the
important thing is to maintain an open relationship with children which provides them
with opportunities to ask questions when they have them. Parents have to be proactive
and engage their child to discuss about sex, sexuality and relationships. Naturally, many
parents and their children feel embarrassed when talking about some aspects of sex and
sexuality. Viewing sex education as an on-going conservation about values, attitudes and
issues as well as providing facts can be helpful. The best basis to proceed on is a sound
relationship in which a young person feels able to ask a question or raise an issue if they
feel they need to. It has been shown that in countries like The Netherlands, where many
families regard it as an important responsibility to talk openly with children about sex and
sexuality, this contributes to greater cultural openness about sex and sexuality and
improved sexual health among young people.

The role of many parents and as sex educators changes as young people get older
and young people are provided with more opportunities to receive formal sex education
through schools and community-settings. However, it doesn’t get any less important.
Because sex education in school tends to take place in blocks of time, it can’t always

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address issues relevant to young people at a particular time, and parents can fulfill a
particularly important role in providing information and opportunities to discuss things as
they arise.

Aims of Sex Education

Sex education is a very important subject that every child has to be aware of. The
concept of the child’s sexuality needs to be inserted sometime in their life, most
preferably before they reach puberty. And it does not only prepare them for the adult life
ahead. It also makes them a better person with the right values in the process.

Schools have now adapted sex education to become part of their curriculum. This
is how important the subject has been since it is first introduce several years back. Today,
all schools take it as part of their duty to provide every student the right information
about sex and to inculcate in them the right beliefs, attitudes, and ideas about their
identity, sexuality, and intimacy.

But sex education is not all about relationship and intercourse. Teaching it also
includes the stages of a person’s physical development, his body image, gender roles, and
even his emotions. It is the topic that teaches the younger ones about how they came to
be, the way they are expected grow, and their ability to reproduce offspring themselves.

Another important point why sex education needs to be taught to children is to

make them aware of the things that will happen within themselves and their social world.
Sex education will take away the ignorance that can lead young adults to commit errors
in their judgments as far as coupling and sexual interactions are concerned. With proper
sex education, the incidence of teen pregnancy and irresponsible parenthood can be
controlled.

Sex education will not only enrich the minds of the children. It will also boost
their confidence and self-esteem, which consequently, a lot of youngsters seem to lose as
they enter puberty. Those without adequate learning about the changes happening in their

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bodies end up being either afraid or confused about the situation they are facing. And if
this dilemma is not addressed right away, the child may grow up shy and intimidated
amidst other people.

With all these said, it is a must that sex education start at home. Parents should
take it upon themselves to inform their children in a subtle and low-key manner what sex
and sexuality is all about. This is quite fitting, as almost all children tend to be very
curious about themselves and the world they live in. And surely at one point in their life,
they are going to ask a lot of questions about themselves and the things around them. As
parents, they should take that as an opportunity to introduce sex education to their kids.

Sex education does not necessarily have to be taught in one go. It is a gradual and
evolving process, mostly to make sure that what parents teach their children is up to the
times and are highly accurate. The schools and the community the children belong to are
now actively participating in the process of teaching young adults about sexual health.
Parents are not alone anymore in tackling this rather difficult and awkward topic. But, it
is still the parents’ responsibility and the teenager’s duty to make sure that they receive
and accept only the right information about it.

Therefore, we can conclude that there are several aims of sex education and it
contributes good impacts towards society. By sex education, the numbers of sexual
partners or unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) rates are
reduced. Programmes that focus upon sexuality, including sex and HIV education
programs and school-based clinics do not increase any measure of sexual activity. On the
other hand, all of the programmes increased knowledge among young people about
sexuality, only a few conclude that courses on sexuality increase the tolerance of the
students' attitudes towards the sexual practice of others, and sex education did not make a
difference in adolescents' attitudes toward pre-marital sex, birth control, or other issues of
sexuality.

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 IMPLEMENTATION OF SEX EDUCATION

In today's society, it is an unfortunate truth that lots of questions and concerns

about sex education have become quite controversial. There have been done several
implementations about sex education towards society in our country. The main idea of
introducing sex education to society is to make them aware of the changes their body will
undergo, the relationships and emotions they are going to feel sooner or later, and the
consequences of careless sexual actions that they could possibly indulge into. With these
in mind, the role of parents, teachers, government, and society will be greatly guided as
to which path to take to achieve these goals. The method of teaching of this topic that
should use could vary from one child to another. First, this sex education content must be
thought in sequence, which is started from simple to the complex according to children’s
age. It is to avoid shock circumstances to the youngster and they will understand it better.

However, many parents do not condone their child having sex and do not want
them to participate in a sex education program that accepts sex as normal, acceptable
teenage behavior. Some people believe that sex education should only be conducted at
home, thus insuring that parents will be free to convey their own moral values regarding
sexuality and sexual activity to their children. Many parents are fearful that values,
standards and behavior contrary to their own, will be taught to their children within
the classroom. Some parents also tend to feel that sex education gives kids
more awareness about how to have sex and somewhat encourage it. They do not
want their child to be a part of a course that influences students that as long as they
practice safe sex, then becoming sexually active is acceptable. It has been proven that less
educated and older parents have generally been found to have less favorable attitudes
towards sex education. In fact, in all states that provide a health curriculum, parents have
been given the right to remove their child from any sex education program that they do
not want their child to be apart of it.

In order to overcome this barrier, first of all, parents have to realize the
importance of sex education towards their children’s future. Kids have to be taught about
their sexuality and the body parts that are gender specific. They can easily have one-to-

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one discussions with parents which focus on specific issues, questions or concerns. It is
also important to teach them what changes they can expect in the near future or when
they reach the puberty stage. Teaching them the roles and functions of each body part will
also serve as a good framework in teaching them about the reproduction process. Young
kids are likely to ask how they were born and how they came to be. These are good
signals as to when parents can introduce to their kids about the reproduction system and
the process of conception. Depending upon their ages, parents can thoroughly explain
every stage and what exactly happens in each of them. But whichever the case, kids here
are the different things kids aged 3 to 8 years old have to learn about sex and their
sexuality:

1. There are certain body parts that are exclusive to boys and there are parts that only
girls have. Basically, they are called the reproductive organs. And because they are still
kids, these body parts are not yet fully developed. But as they begin to grow, several
changes are expected. These changes are normal, and so there’s no need to be afraid.

2. Puberty is the start of adulthood that shows the changes are going to be apparent as one
enters into puberty. The exact age of puberty cannot be determined as it varies from one
person to another. Some kids enter into it as early as 8 years old. But generally, it happens
between 10 to 12 years of age. At which point, the body of our children suddenly grows
very fast.

3. Basic changes in boys are that boys tend to grow 4 inches taller in a matter of just a
year. And to complement this growth, their shoulders starts to widen and their bodies
become a lot muscular as well and their voice suddenly becomes deeper. Besides that,
their genitals are enlarged too and pubic hair will start to grow and mustache is expected.
Boys would also experience spontaneous erections at this point.

4. In the other hand, basic changes in girls are that girls will develop during puberty as
well. Girls usually gain a little bit more weight and their hips starts to widen and their
breasts will begin to develop too. In two years time, girls are going to have their regular
menstrual cycle.

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5. Meanwhile, hormones will cause these changes in emotions. Emotional changes are
also anticipated. Emotional outbursts, confusion, the feeling of being sad and alone, very
strong emotions, and mood changes all happen. If any of these emotions seems to be out
of proportion, it is always good to consult with a health professional.

And once it is clear to the children the idea of how babies came to be, the
concepts of love, courtship, and intimacy come next. These concepts anticipate the child’s
social interactions, mostly to the persons of the opposite sex. It is okay to tell children
that some emotions are normal. An open communication between child and parent is
necessary, especially when they reach this point. Children past the puberty stages are
expected to undergo first hand experiences about relationships. Parental guidance is very
important.

The perception of Malaysian society on sexuality and reproductive health issues

which are considered taboo and against the culture and religious norms should be
changed to give way to open-minded discussions. This is in view of the Education
Ministry's decision to implement sex education in schools including pre-schools starting
this year's school session, as soon as the National Sexuality Education Guideline is
presented and approved by the Cabinet. The education methodology will be divided into
five different age group levels, namely four to six years old (pre-school), seven to nine
years old (children), 10 to 12 years old (early teens), 13 to 18 years old (teenagers) and
19 years old and above

(adults such as university students, parents and old folks).

Sex education was a good way to provide effective information to the children
about sexuality. However monitoring should be done and the curriculum needed to be
well planned to reach its objective in overcoming social ills and issues that are growing
rampant. Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein had earlier said the
module would cover various aspects and was divided into six core roots namely human
development, relationships, marriage and family matters, personal skills, sexual health

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and habits, as well as the community and culture. According to him, the new introduction
would not involve a special class or a special subject; instead it would be absorbed in
existing subjects such as Science, Biology, Islamic Studies and Moral Studies.

Teachers are not always trained how to properly teach sexual education courses
and may transgress their own beliefs or morals into the subject matter rather than stick
with the facts. In order to overcome this barrier, the government should look into the
preparation of teachers who would be teaching this subject so that they were really
prepared to share information with the students as it was a sensitive issue. We have to
monitor as there are shy teachers, some may not be open-minded and the rest may be too
open-minded, since they are at the forefront. Teachers without skills, knowledge and who
are shy will create problems even some students may know more of sexuality issues than
the teachers themselves. At the pre-school level, pupils should be exposed to early
teachings of their body, for example they need to be taught that their private parts could
not be touched by anybody and whom they should speak to in that case. At the primary
school level meanwhile, teachers need to explain on the physical changes experienced by
the pupils. Besides that, imparting of sexuality information should also be the
responsibility of the parents. Thus they need to be more open when facing their children
to avoid them going from going to wrong sources such as pornographic websites and
movies. The curriculum for sex education be integrated based on the its objectives and
appropriate age groups. If the curriculum is made to prevent social ills such as rapes,
sodomy and such, then it should be conducted to suit that objective.

Sex education was needed amongst the children so that they were aware of the
implications and effects of sexual activities. Most of the youngsters today do not
understand the change they experienced, and this prompted them to try a sexual activity
without knowing the effect from that. From the teaching perspective, sex education is a
new challenge as teachers need to prepare themselves with knowledge and ways to
handle the antics of students who are always curious. The challenge will be more on the
kindergarten and pre-school teachers as they have to entertain every question and antics
of the children, where the children themselves may not know what really the real issue is.

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This is where the teacher's role comes in to provide information based on their
understanding.

For the example, the implementation of school-based sex education in our country
can be an important and effective way of enhancing young people's knowledge, attitudes
and behaviour. There is widespread agreement that formal education should include sex
education and what works has been well-researched. Evidence suggests that effective
school programmes will include the following elements:

• A focus on reducing specific risky behaviours;

• A basis in theories which explain what influences people's sexual choices and
behaviour;
• A clear, and continuously reinforced message about sexual behaviour and risk
reduction;
• Providing accurate information about, the risks associated with sexual activity,
about contraception and birth control, and about methods of avoiding or deferring
intercourse;
• Dealing with peer and other social pressures on young people; Providing
opportunities to practice communication, negotiation and assertion skills;
• Uses a variety of approaches to teaching and learning that involve and engage
young people and help them to personalize the information;
• Uses approaches to teaching and learning which are appropriate to young people's
age, experience and cultural background;
• Is provided by people who believe in what they are saying and have access to
support in the form of training or consultation with other sex educators.

Formal programmes with these elements have been shown to increase young
people's levels of knowledge about sex and sexuality, put back the average age at which
they first have sexual intercourse and decrease risk when they do have sex. All the
elements are important and inter-related, and sex education needs to be supported by
links to sexual health services, otherwise it is not going to be so effective. It also takes
into account the messages about sexual values and behaviour young people get from

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other sources, like friends and the media. It is also responsive to the needs of the young
people themselves - whether they are girls or boys, on their own or in a single sex or
mixed sex group, and what they know already, their age and experiences.

Young people can be exposed to a wide range of attitudes and beliefs in relation to
sex and sexuality. These sometimes appear contradictory and confusing. For example,
some health messages emphasis the risks and dangers associated with sexual activity and
some media coverage promote the idea that being sexually active makes a person more
attractive and mature. Because sex and sexuality are sensitive subjects, young people and
sex educators can have strong views on what attitudes people should hold, and what
moral framework should govern people's behaviour - these too can sometimes seem to be
at odds. Young people are very interested in the moral and cultural frameworks that bind
sex and sexuality. They often welcome opportunities to talk about issues where people
have strong views, like abortion, sex before marriage, lesbian and gay issues and
contraception and birth control. It is important to remember that talking in a balanced
way about differences in opinion does not promote one set of views over another, or
mean that one agrees with a particular view. Part of exploring and understanding cultural,
religious and moral views is finding out that you can agree to disagree.

Sex education does not necessarily have to be taught in one go. It is a gradual and
evolving process, mostly to make sure that what parents teach their children is up to the
times and are highly accurate. It is important for our children today to know and learn the
true facts so they will be prepared in later life. Sex is a certain topic that takes time and
understanding. There are lessons to be taught and questions to be answered and if this is
not done properly or appropriately, it is wastes of time because children are not getting
the right message. As long as the information is being taught, as long as teenagers
understand and realize how crucial one decision might be, how one situation could affect
their entire lives, then that is what counts. Teaching all the facts and the proper
information is the easy part, having adolescents pay attention and using the given
information wisely, is in fact the real issue we should be concerned about. The schools
and the community the children belong to are now actively participating in the process of
teaching young adults about sexual health. Parents are not alone anymore in tackling this

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rather difficult and awkward topic. Then again, it is still the parents’ responsibility and
the teenager’s duty to make sure that they receive and accept only the right information
about it. The truth is, the children now are our future, and if we prepare them with the
correct information, and with the truth, then later generations will be able to handle
difficult situations and responsibilities.

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 ADVANTAGES OF SEX EDUCATION
Sex education is an ongoing process of communication within a society. The
sexual education of adolescent children is presented to parents as a necessary and
legitimate course of study. It is widely accepted that young people have a right to sex
education, partly because it is a means by which they are helped to protect themselves
against abuse, exploitation, unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It is important to prepare a child for what they
will become as an important part of their adult life. It is usually hard to talk to a teenager
about sex than it is to preteen. Laying the groundwork now may also help keep the lines
of communication open during child’s teenage years.
When being though properly, sexual education and development could be easily
become part of any other scientific course of study like Human Biology, Human
Behavior, Human Anatomy or Health. More importantly, perhaps if administrator present
a more dignified and academic approach to the delivery of sexual education, complete
with test and grades, it may just impress upon our children that they should view sex as a
serious part of their human development rather than a recreational activity.
Like preschoolers, primary, school-aged children need age appropriate
information about the biological processes of sex and reproduction. However, the
conversations need to start broadening their scope that they learn in school such as
puberty, sexual responsibility, feelings, and relationships. It develops this young people's
ability to make decisions over their entire lifetime. Sex education is going to be effective
only if it include opportunities for young people to develop skills, as it can hard for them
to act on the basis of only having information. The kinds of skills young people develop
as part of sex education are linked to more general life-skills. For example, being able to
communicate, listen, negotiate, ask for and identify sources of help and advice, are useful
life-skills and can be applied in terms of sexual relationships. Effective sex education also
develops young people's skills in negotiation, decision-making, assertion and listening.
Other important skills include being able to recognize pressures from other people and to
resist them, deal with and challenge prejudice, seek help from adults including parents,
careers and professionals, through the family, community and health and welfare

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services. Parents and government of school must understand the importance of providing
good quality and appropriate sex education at earlier age of their children.
People providing sex education have attitudes and beliefs of their own about sex
and sexuality and it is important not to let these influence negatively the sex education
that they provide. For example, even if a person believes that young people should not
have sex until they are married, this does not imply withholding important information
about safer sex and contraception. Attempts to impose narrow moralistic views about sex
and sexuality on young people through sex education have failed. Rather than trying to
deter or frighten young people away from having sex, effective sex education includes
work on attitudes and beliefs, coupled with skills development, which enables young
people to choose whether or not to have a sexual relationship taking into account the
potential risks of any sexual activity.
Besides that, many youth who become sexually active doing sex without accurate
information about reproductive health may put them into risk of unplanned pregnancy or
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Sexual health education can be one means of
helping young people prevent these problems and improve their future reproductive
health. Studies of young people in other regions have shown a similar lack of accurate
information. In India, of 100 girls who came to a hospital seeking abortion, 80 percent
did not know that sexual intercourse could lead to pregnancy or STDs, and 90 percent did
not know about contraception.
For teenagers that already sexually active, including those who are married, sex
education can encourage correct and consistent use of contraception or STD protection.
Fears that sex education programs encourage or increase sexual activity appear to be
unfounded. The most effective sexual health programs are those that include more than
information on reproductive health. Sex education programs may be the only place that
young people can learn accurate information about reproductive health. Sex education
programs may offer the only setting in which young people can practice the skills
necessary to maintain good reproductive health.
Effective sex education also provides young people with an opportunity to
explore the reasons why people have sex, and to think about how it involves emotions,
respect for one self and other people and their feelings, decisions and bodies. Young

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people should have the chance to explore gender differences and how ethnicity and
sexuality can influence people's feelings and options. They should be able to decide for
themselves what the positive qualities of relationships are. It is important that they
understand how bullying, stereotyping, abuse and exploitation can negatively influence
relationships.
Nowadays, young people can be exposed to a wide range of attitudes and beliefs
in relation to sex and sexuality. These sometimes appear contradictory and confusing. For
example, some health messages emphasis the risks and dangers associated with sexual
activity and some media coverage promote the idea that being sexually active makes a
person more attractive and mature. Because sex and sexuality are sensitive subjects,
young people and sex educators can have strong views on what attitudes people should
hold, and what moral framework should govern people's behaviour that can sometimes
seem to be at odds. Young people are very interested in the moral and cultural
frameworks that bind sex and sexuality. They often welcome opportunities to talk about
issues where people have strong views, like abortion, sex before marriage, lesbian and
gay issues and contraception and birth control. It is important to remember that talking in
a balanced way about differences in opinion does not promote one set of views over
another, or mean that one agrees with a particular view. Part of exploring and
understanding cultural, religious and moral views is finding out that you can agree to
disagree.
Furthermore, sex education can support people through their physical, emotions,
self development, as well as promoting the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental, and physical
development for the youngsters at school and of the society. Plus, sex education teaches
young people to responsibilities and experiences of adult life. The youngsters here will
understand human sexuality and to respect themselves and others, without their
knowledge, it will make one more mature and at the same time build up their confidence
and self-esteem.
In addition, sex education will let the society knows on how to be aware of the
different type of relationship such as friends, family, and marriage in order to develop
effectiveness of relationship between each other. From sex education, youngsters will
learn on how to respect the differences between people as they develop their own senses

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of identity as well to recognize the emotional and physical changes that take place during
puberty and how to manage to manage them in a positive way.
The society will also learn about the nature and importance of marriage for a
family and bringing up children in a positive way. Lack of information may be one reason
that adolescent’s use of family planning methods is generally low. In South America, for
example, only 43 percent of young married women, ages 15 to 19, are using
contraception, according to data compiled by the Population Reference Bureau (PRB).
Among unmarried sexually active women, 29 percent use contraception. In western
Africa, 5 percent of married teens use a family planning method, compared with 34
percent of sexually active unmarried teens. In Southeast Asia, 36 percent of married
youth use contraception, compared with 28 percent of unmarried adolescents. It is a very
small amount of women using contraception in order to bring up family planning.
Last but not least, the society will be able to understand the reasons for having
protected sex and also to understand the consequences of their actions and behave
responsibly within sexual and pastoral relationships. People also will have the confidence
and self-esteem to value themselves and others in order to seek respects in the society.

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 DISADVANTAGE OF SEX EDUCATION TOWARDS OUR
SOCIETY

There are some barriers that our government has to face when they implement this
sex education in curriculum. One of the most resistances comes from religious leader.
These religious leaders are totally apposed discussing male or female relationships based
upon understanding that religion forbids it and therefore the topic should not be discussed
at all.
Besides, the resistances also come from the parents. They think that this topic
should not be introduced in primary school but in secondary school. In their opinion, it is
too early to expose their children with this topic. They believe that their children are too
young to know about sex education because when they are apposed to sex education it
will encourage sex activity among them. The resistances to implementing this topic also
come from the society. They think that when this topic is implement, students are more
influence to try it and this will cause a social problem among them.
Some teachers also hinder this topic to implement in school curriculum. It
happens because they do not know what exactly to teach to their students. Furthermore
these sex education topics are too broad and some teacher get confuse which part is
necessary for the students to know especially for the primary school students. Besides,
teachers are not always trained how to properly teach sex education courses and may
transgress their own beliefs or morals into the subject matter rather than stick with the
facts.
The researches on sexual attitudes also come out with some disadvantage of sex
education. One study concluded that courses on sexuality increase the tolerance of the
students' attitudes towards the sexual practice of others, and many studies have found that
sex education did not make a difference in adolescents' attitudes toward pre-marital sex,
birth control, or other issues of sexuality. Other researchers have found that adolescents'
knowledge of fact-based sexuality and biology information, of AIDS or of how to use
birth control does not necessarily stop them from engaging in unprotected sex or
unreliable contraceptive use.

19
 Today's teenagers reach physical maturity earlier and marry later. A steady
increase has occurred in the percentage of young people having sexual intercourse and a
decrease in the age at which sexual intercourse is initiated. Studies have found that
approximately eight in ten males and seven in ten females are sexually experienced by
age 19. This further suggests that the timing of sex education is crucial.

20
21
ANALYSIS OF QUESTIONAIRE FROM
THE STUDENTS FROM FACULTY OF SCIENCE,
ENGINEERING,ENONOMY AND ACCOUNTANCY AND
ACADEMY OF ISLAMIC STUDIES.

1. Do you agree sex education to be taught to youngster since they were in primary
school?

Almost 60% of students from science faculty not agree for sex education to be
taught to youngster in primary school because, in their opinion, many parents are
fearful that values, standards and behavior contrary to their own, will be taught to
their children within the classroom and kids of this age are naturally curious and they
must have decided to ask something about sex to their parents. The other 40% of
students agree that sex education should be taught in primary school. This is because
the children now are our future, and if we prepare them with the correct information
about sex education, and with the truth, then later generations will be able to handle
difficult situations and responsibilities.

Most of the respondent agree that sex education should be taught to youngsters
since they were in primary schools because it can create awareness among youngsters
and helping them regarding self-protection from sex harassment.Furthermore,this
field of knowledge will wider their knowledge on advantages and disadvantages of
being a man or woman as no one person are created to be the same.
Respondent also think that this makes them realize that man and women live to
complete each others life since we were created to fulfill each others life.

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2. Have your family discuss about this topic at home?

80% of students were not discussing about sex education topic at home. This is
because some parents feel anxious about providing too much information or
embarrassed about not knowing answers to questions that are asked by their children.
While only 20% of students from this faculty were discussing about this topic at
home because they believe that sex education should be conducted and discussed at
home, thus insuring that parents will be free to convey their own moral values
regarding sexuality and sexual activity to their children.
There are respondent that discussed this topic among their family.They are from
open minded family and their parents have awareness regarding sex education and the
future benefit and hence,they step up to let their children knows about sex so that
they will not involve in sex abuse such as rape.Those open minded parents maybe a
doctor or lecturer which knows the importance of sex education.Some of parents may
take responsibility to educate their children and one way of educating them is via
discussion whereby,they make it as a topic to see whether their children alert or not to
the current issues that happen around them.In addition,this will also ensure that their
children will be responsible to themselves and people around them.
At the other side of the coin,some of the respondent comes from unopen minded
families.Their parents hope that their children knows it by themselves through
education at school.Moreover,they do not think that this is an important topic to talk
to the children.Parents nowadays being very busy with their daily jobs and has no
time to explained about sex education and they worked as architect,businessman,and
businesswomen,an engineer.

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 3. In your opinion, is it appropriate to talk about sex education in public?

60% of students giving their opinion that it is not appropriate to talk about sex
education in public because sex education is one of the sensitive issue to be spoke out
and it may make some people feel inconvenient when discussing about this topic.
But, the other 40% of students feel that it is proper for us to talk about this topic in
public because in their perceptions, nothing to be ashamed or anxious but we have to
be really open minded as sex education will do avoid social problems to be occurred.
It is proper totalk about sex education in public to ensure that society is not
taking this issues lightly.This can ensure that the society truly understand about sex
education through seminar,exhibition and campaign.There are respondent who have
attend a seminar on sex education during their secondary schools,so,they think that it is
proper to talk about this topic in the public. On the other side of the coin, there are
respondent who shy to talk about sex education. This also makes ‘sex maniac’ become
more eager to disturb girls and do sex harassment to them.

4. Have you attend any seminar about sex education?

Most of the students have attended seminar about sex education before. They have
been revealed with this kind of seminar since they were in school. They realize that sex
education may increase young people's knowledge and provides some evidence that teens
that receive such information are more likely to use contraception rather than abortion.
The respondent are encourage by their parents and friends to attend sex education
seminar.Their school themselves made a seminar on sex education especially one-sex
school such as Mothodist Girl School,Sekolah Seri Puteri,Sekolah Alam Shah,and
Sekolah Dato` Abdul Razak.After attending the seminar,they found out that it is
important to have knowledge regarding sex education so that can can have self-protection
regarding unintended pregnancy and this will lead to killing her own baby as one case
that happenede in Univesity Malaya itself at Za`ba college.There are families of the
respondent that does not talk about sex education at home,so, they take their own step to

24
search for information on sex education by their ownselves and as a result,they enter the
seminar on sex education which gives them lots of information and aweareness about sex
education,their benefits and how it is useful for us now and in our future.
In contrast,some of them are shame to attend this seminar and never heard about such
seminar.They only see the seminar on television because they don’t have time to attend
such seminar.

5. Do any of your friends have done an abortion before?

None of the students got any of their friends did an abortion before. This is because
most students of science faculty are not revealed with social problems and they become
aware as the social problems keep on increasing spread out. They have to be cautious in
making friends with people around them.
There are respondent who answer yes regarding this question.This is caused by
peer influence.They have social type of friends which ask them to join overmix socialize
between girls and boys.They are not being under parents attentions because their parents
are being busy with their daily work.There are cases of changing sex partner an trial
marriange.
The excluded respondent from abortion is from good family background which
stressed the importance of exposed with sex education.for Islamic students who really
understand the rule in their religion will absolutely stay away from abortion.In
addition,they are having good friends and environment with healty social life activity.

25
 6. According to your opinion, do you agree with abortion?

80% of the students were not agree in doing an abortion because in their opinion, the
most observed effects of abortion in teenagers are psychological in nature. Most of these
teenagers succumb to the feeling of great sadness and sorrow, which can eventually lead
to depression. Some teenagers develop a strong feeling of either guilt or anger. Some feel
guilty because they chose to end their baby’s life. Some feel angry with their own selves
because they failed to practice what was thought in sex education. Only 20% of the
students have given their opinion that they agreed with abortion process because
teenagers do have a choice as to how they are to live their lives, they have a choice
whether to continue with the pregnancy or end it through abortion. Being pregnant at a
very young age is already a big twist in a teenager’s life. Whatever choice she makes
about it, there will be negative consequences to face. The respondent agree with the
abortion because they believe in trial marriage since women are easy to have child.
The negative respond is due to their believe that it is not good for womens health
since there are side effect of having unwanted pregnancy which lead to STD(Sexuality
Transmitted Disease).This abortion is against the Islamic law.

7. Have you been sexually harassment by someone?

None of the students have been sexually harassment before. They got information in
how to protect themselves from outsiders and avoid walking alone especially at night.
Since we are living in metropolitan area that is Kuala Lumpur,it is very easy to
get Phornography vcd.Many says that the ‘sex maniac’ are drunken man.The respondent
are being sex harassment via showing their sex tool.Boys can also experience sex
harassment by man and women.The sex harassment by man is by gay and by women are
by buds.In addition,there are also oral kind of sexual harassment.

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 8. Is there any harmful effect of sex education towards society?

Almost 70% of the students did state that sex education was not bringing harmful
towards our society. Most of them feel that by providing sex education in schools will
not only be effective in reducing the negative consequences of early sexual activity, but
will also help children grow into adulthood and will allow them to be more prepared to
stand up against all the unexpected obstacles in the near future. The other 30% of the
students said that sex education would bring harm to our society because in their opinion,
the more they know it, the more they do it and social problems will spread out easily. Sex
education will ensure that the society is being optimistic about sex.There are respondent
who think that there is harmful effect of sex education towards society because the
increasing of sex harassment will occur .They also think that the youngsters will often do
adultery and at the meantime,this will increase the amount of social problems in the
country.

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FACULTY OF ECONOMIC AND ACCOUNTANCY

QUESTION NUMBER % STUDENTS ANSWER % STUDENTS ANSWER

YES NO
1 75 25
2 25 75
3 75 25
4 25 75
5 0 100
6 0 100
7 37.5 62.5
8 0 100

100
90
80
70
60
percentage 50
40 yes
30 no
20
10
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
no. of que stions

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

28
 QUESTION NUMBER % STUDENTS ANSWER % STUDENTS ANSWER
YES NO
1 100 0
2 70 30
3 60 40
4 40 60
5 80 20
6 20 80
7 60 40
8 0 100

100
90
80
70
60
percentage 50
40 yes
30 no
20
10
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
no.of que stion

ACADEMY OF ISLAMIC STUDIES

29
 QUESTION NUMBER % STUDENTS ANSWER % STUDENTS ANSWER
YES NO
1 20 80
2 0 100
3 0 100
4 0 100
5 20 80
6 0 100
7 0 100
8 30 70

100
90
80
70
60
percentage 50
40 NO
30 YES
20
10
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
no. of question

CONCLUSION

From the survey that we have made regarding the impact of sex education,it is
necessity to include sex education in schools.The perception of Malaysian society on
sexuality and reproductive health issues which are considered taboo and against the
culture and religious norms should be changed to give way to open-minded discussions.

30
Controversies are abundant when dealing with such delicate issues and there are many
pros and cons to sexual education being taught in the public schools. It seems that most
parents are either strongly against or strongly in favor of sexual education classes, but
very few parents are in the middle ground. And, in fact, there are more parents that are in
favor of sexual education classes.

Most of the respondent agree that sex education should be taught to youngsters
since primary schools.Appropriate sexual education can have an impact on preventing
sexual problems in adulthood such as unintended pregnancy,HIV(Human Immune
deficiency Virus) and STD(Sexual Transmitted Disease).The society should be
responsible to educate youngsters in order to achieve an educated youngsters not only in
academic field but also their additional knowledge regarding sex education which will be
very useful as they grow up and having changes towards their body parts and
reproductive organs such as vagina for girls.

Advance step should be taken by society and government such as by exhibition

and campaign,in order to put sex education as part of the youngsters knowledge so that
they will aware about the impact of it especially to their health and phsycology.If the next
generation is affected by social activities which damaging their health and the way of
thingking,who is going to be the next leader in the future?

Most of the youngsters think that sex is fun,but most of them did not know the
implication of what they are doing.They maybe will have fun for a night but,they did not
know that they will suffer for the rest of their live when being affected by diseases such
as HIV which will bring fatal to them.Here,education is the best way to let them realize
and aware to modify the sexual behaviour which getting worst nowadays.

REFERENCES

1. http://www.newtrier.k12.il.us/academics/english/research_guide/pdfs/final_
draft_sample.pdf

The Benefits of Single-Sex Education

2. http://education.guardian.co.uk/print/0,,329513505-110908,00.html

31
 Single-sex schools 'no benefit for girls'

3. http://www.belmonthouse.co.uk/Sex%20education/sex_education.htm

Sex education

4. http://www.outsideofdreams.com/single_sex_education/pros_and_cons.htm

Pros and Cons Single-Sex Education for Boys

5. http://www2.jsonline.com/alive/news/feb00/sex14021300.asp-

The benefits of sex go beyond the physical

6. http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/rrr/definitions.htm

Sex Education Programs: Definitions & Point-by-Point Comparison

7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexeducation
Sex education

32