Saying it like it is by Chandni Parekh

AS THE DEBATE OVER INTRODUCING SEXUALITY EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES REMAINS INCONCLUSIVE, SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND SEXUALITY EDUCATOR CHANDNI PAREKH ELUCIDATES THE DANGERS OF NOT IMPLEMENTING THIS COURSE OF STUDY.

Sexuality education has been a controversial issue over the last year, especially in our country. As the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) works towards introducing its ‘Adolescent Education Programme’ in Indian schools, some people have been opposing its inception for different reasons. During my last talk on pubertal changes and child sexual abuse with class 10 students of a Thane school, the number and kind of questions that were being asked reinforced my belief that young people today clearly have a lot of questions. Questions about their bodies and the things they do or want to do. Questions that deserve honest, accurate answers. I wondered that day whether those who oppose ‘sex education’ would really oppose it as fiercely if they knew about the anxiety, guilt and confusion that so many young people today face due to misconceptions and sheer lack of information.

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