Better sex education will keep youth safe

Increasingly, schools and communities have been implementing sex education programs for adolescents. In many cases, emphasis on those programs is generally placed in increasing adolescents' knowledge of anatomical and physiological facts of reproduction.

Contraceptive methods, however, are usually excluded from these classes. This happens because teachers, school administrators and policymakers are worried that they could be blamed for condoning or encouraging adolescent sexual behavior.

However, adolescents who become sexually active need information about the proper use of contraceptives and how to prevent STIs. More important, girls should learn how to negotiate their refusal to engage in sex. Studies show that emphasizing abstinence cannot prevent youngsters from engaging in sex.

Educating adolescents in the use of contraceptives and negotiation skills are important components to consider while implementing comprehensive sex education programs in China. Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Hangzhou and Shenzhen have become part of an early network of cities that have implemented such curriculum.

Because many educators give more importance to students securing high scores in exams to facilitate their admission to good universities, they tend to lay less emphasis on sex education. This prompts many youngsters in China to use the Internet (even pornographic sites) to seek information, which is not always accurate.

"The Chinese government's general attitude toward sexuality and sex education has become more open," Li Yinhe, a fellow with the Institute of Sociology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said recently. "Compared to older generations in China, teenagers in the 21st century have more access to sexual knowledge," she said.

Sex education is compulsory in Japan and the Republic of Korea, countries that share many cultural traits with China. Since China, too, is taking measures to provide sex education for its younger generations, it should make it more comprehensive and more effective.

The author is an international public health consultant and has the book, Quality of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services, to his credit.