"At kung magkagayon, kung patuloy pa ring manaig ang asimptota sa ating kapalaran... asahan mo na kung hindi man ngayong panahon magdugtong ang ating linya, kung hindi man ngayong panahon magwakas ng masaya ang kwento nating dalawa... ipinapangako ko sa iyo na patuloy kung nanaisin na mabuhay ng paulit-ulit upang muling makita at makapiling ka"
Indonesia is experiencing a major development and an intense change, including cultural and social development. Many perspective regarding to sex has been changed ever since. Lately, the number of young adults in Indonesia that participated in pre-marital sexual activities have increased more than ever. With the lack of knowledge, this will lead into unwanted pregnancy, abortion, higher rates of transmission of STDs and others. Unfortunately, conversation regarding sexual and health reproduction is still seen as a taboo thing and against traditional law.
︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵ ︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵ ︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵
I am an Indonesian native. Born and raised in this beautiful country of 18,307 islands and at least 300 ethnic groups. And as much I love this country, I was quite baffled when a few years back my internet friend from America told me that they have this thing called “Sex Education” in school. Talking about sexual and health reproduction related was a weird thing for me and my friends to discuss. Sure, we did get about health and reproduction material in biology class. But, they only told you about the organs that helped humans to create another human(s), aren’t they? Or only about the stages of how the baby developed and other related things. Your parents didn’t exactly told you about this thing either because its too awkward, isn’t it? Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying to be some kind of weird perverted here. Because, duh, that is ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE IN THIS HOUSE. And if that’s what you think, then it’s time for you to;
Sexual health education is way much more than that.
SO WHAT IS SEXUAL EDUCATION?
Sex education is information about bodily development, sex, sexuality, and relationships, along with skills-building to help young people communicate about and make informed decisions regarding sex and their sexual health. It should include information about puberty and reproduction, abstinence, contraception and condoms, relationships, sexual violence prevention, body image, gender identity and sexual orientation.
-Advocates for Youth.
Now before you come at me saying “BuT iTs nOt OuR tRaDiTiON1!11!1!1!2!” then the answer is; no, having sexual education in school does not encourage youngster to participate in pre-marital sexual activities. It does not deprive adolescents from their innocence. If anything, this will help teenagers who goes through puberty a lot. So they will know what to do instead of getting the wrong information from peers who goes through the same thing but did not exactly understand stuff. Information should be really accessible for the youth concerning different sexualities.
INDONESIA’S SOCIETY REGARDING SEXUAL EDUCATION
We already know that Indonesia is a home with so many cultures and various people from different backgrounds in it. I can assure you that these people discouraged anything regarding ‘sexual,’ even if it is for educational purposes. This behavior is related to several factors: lack of knowledge, religiosity, personal characteristics, and social and cultural factors.
Most parents felt inadequate to talk to their children about issues related to reproductive health. Because in the past, girls were expected to remain virgin until marriage as it was regarded as a symbol of morality. Failure to prove it, could cause the breakup of the marriage.
WHAT DO INDONESIANS’ YOUNGSTER SAY?
I asked a bunch of people regarding this (around 40 people to be exact). I asked them on what age did they start to know about sexual intercourse and where did they got the information from. As a fellow Indonesian, the answer
I know it from a young age, around the time when I started to hit my puberty days. I know it from the internet and friends.
is not shocking anymore is it? None of these gals are comfortable discussing this with their parents or teachers when they know things. Its possible, but its rare because of the limited knowledge. They did their own research from websites, magazines and videos which sometimes results in negative sexual behavior. Interestingly, none of them said they knew about this stuff from the official government page.
Some of my subjects said that they have had participated in pre-marital sexual intercourse with their significant others. A lot of them said that they are curious of something new and the feeling of desire. They also said that they are too afraid to admit it out loud because they were ashamed if the society bashed on them seeing as pre-marital sexual intercourse is seen as a major sin in Indonesia. Previous studies conducted in Indonesia verified that active sexual negative attitudes are higher in females than in males. It is not rare when adolescents in Indonesia faced a difficult situation and they wished that Indonesia have an open sexual education in school so they’ll know what to do.
WHY DO WE NEED SEXUAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOL
Sexual education does not make it easier for pedophiles to abuse people. They will know when to speak up when something wrong happens to them.
Youngster learn about equality and respect. They will understand the value and authority of each person’s body.
Train young people of the right to say the word ‘no’ when they are uncomfortable and trapped in an unwanted situation.
Teach the youngsters of what to do when their puberty starts so they don’t have to panic.
Good-quality sexuality education is grounded in internationally accepted human rights, in particular the right to access appropriate health-related information.
Reduction in teenage pregnancies and abortions and a decline in rates of STDs and HIV infections among young people.
Increasing confidence and strengthening skills to deal with different challenges,
Empower young people to develop strong and meaningful relationships.
“Naiintindihan ko na kung bakit hindi lahat ng tao ay nagkakatuluyan sa ikalawa, ikatlo o ika-apat mang pagkakataon... dahil hindi talaga sila para sa isa’t isa.” . My #OurAsymptoticLoveStory is in the house! Thank you so much @bookwarepublishing 🥰 Ayun lang nasa Dubai ako, di ko maaamoy. Hays. Haha! #OALS https://www.instagram.com/p/BqWNPaph0mG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=101qu8pn7if89
