The world has seen chiefly the matter of sex as a taboo and preferred to keep this critical discussion behind closed doors. This reluctance to openly discuss sexual issues and reproductive health has led to numerous unsafe sexual practices, particularly among adolescents from lower socio-economic groups. Over the years, even with progress in education, society, and culture, discussions about sexual health are still lagging significantly behind.
Public awareness and acceptance of open-minded sexual and reproductive health debates are paramount today. With the progress of society, Adolescents are exposed to a myriad of online content these days; however, the lack of appropriate information and education about such efforts has led to more STDs and teen pregnancies than ever in recent years. Traditionally, the world has been open to moral values such as sexual health, reproduction, and fertility. Still, the current situation cannot be further against this image of openness cultivated for so long.
Sex isn't just a taboo; lately, the government has banned sex education in public schools in several areas. And raises the question: Would a country with a young population benefit more from the correct information and education than from stopping education to combat the fact that it will lead to more random and irresponsible sexual behavior for everyone in the future?
WHO defines adolescents as between the age group of 10-19, a period fraught with emotional turmoil interspersed with physical and psychological growth, culminating in reproductive development, with which comes sexual awareness and curiosity to explore the unknown. Intervention at this stage would be an ideal way to fulfill this imminent need by making proper knowledge available to teenagers that is lucid and understandable. An extensive program inclusive of open communication about sexual and reproductive health, safe sex practices, and the various methods of contraception and prevention of STIs will prevent the culture of shame and hesitation that has been propagated for so long.
If the adolescent is shy or hesitant to speak to peers, there is an app and helpline support, even though they have a long way to go to be a comprehensive approach. We can only hope that shortly, there will be liberally acceptance of the inclusion of sex education in the school curriculum, extending its outreach and culminating in the overall development of school-going adolescents leading to better sexual healthcare.
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