TITLE: THE IMPORTANCE OF SEXUAL EDUCATION IN EARLY YEARS

There are so many things that cover sexual health education, which is access to health care and the person’s knowledge concerning sexuality (The public Health Agency in Sweden, 2016). Nowadays, the topic of sex relationship is a must in talking among teens. Those issues can be taught at school by an experience health teacher. Sexual education and parental guidance are essential in children’s growth to educate them on sex and relationships and make them stop stronger decision-makers when addressing social issues. The countries like in Germany, The Netherlands, and France have a lower frequency in sexual problems since those countries have been doing an open and flexible sex education (Berne and Huberman, 2000). There is much importance to sexual education in the early years.

The author’s first important highlight is to equip children with the necessary knowledge about sex and relationship. That knowledge like the ability for them to make a values decision regarding sex relationships (UNESCO, 2009). Also, UNESCO in 2009 also added that the learning process of sex and relationship consists of four components, which are information values, attitudes, and social standards, interpersonal and relationship skills, and also the responsibility. From this point, it already proves that learning is essential. Learning is where we can gain experience and knowledge by experiencing the world’s reality, and with excellent learning and education can produce new ideas and knowledge (Marton and Booth, 1997). To be noted that sexuality has been taken seriously by the young generation as their self-awareness for a better future, as said by Beackman in 2003. In conclusion, it is better to teach the young generation at an early age with sex and relationship so that early prevention can be taken.

Moreover, Avery and Lazdane (2003) have stated that adolescents are at their peak of risk to face the adverse effects of the sexual and relationship. The example of the harmful effects is to have unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STI), dignity, and many more. According to WHO, in 2016 and 2018, STI’s have severe impacts on global, and the way to prevent STI is by the advice from the adult and behavioral measures. To be added, one fact by the National Board of Health and Welfare (2019) wherein 2016, people aged up to 19 years are already faced for unintended pregnancies by 2.6%. Next is by UNESCO in 2009 said that the risk for HIV and other STI also other negative can be reduced with early sex education. In a nutshell, the adult generation, especially those with knowledge, can be helpful in helping the adolescents to give an early awareness about the STI and unintended pregnancies.

Next, sexual health education is important as it can regulate an individual’s sexual attitudes and behavior. Simovska and Kane (2016), through their research study, state lack of sexual and relationship knowledge might be the pull factor that causes social problems among teenagers. This argument is strengthened by statistics showing the rate of teenage births in England tends to grow compared to other Western European countries. Moreover, this case scenario happens when the majority of teenagers in England are growing up in a sexualized culture  (2011). They have the impression that sexual harassment and violence that happens is a socially acceptable norm United Kingdom Parliament’s Women and Equalities Committee(2016).

Consequently, where teens are not exposed to sexual health education in the early years, this could cause problems like teenage pregnancies ONS Office of National Statistics (2016). The number of reported cases of first sexual intercourse at under 16 has steadily risen over three generations Wellings (, 2013). In conclusion, this sexual education might be as a prevention tool in preventing social problems such as teenage pregnancies.

Additionally, if the person is introduced to sexual education at an early age, information can benefit children in increased sensitivity, improved problem-solving skills, and a better understanding of emotional states, beliefs, and attitudes Greenetal (2015). The unhealthy and weak early life experience that may lead to emotional distress can be managed if individuals have a better understanding of the psychological conditions Department of Health (2011). Knowledge can be provided in different ways, such as national campaigns, which could help educate these children about sexual problems and encourage adolescent parents to support their children. Social Exclusion Units, (1999). Marston and King (2006) believe that the acquisition of this sexual knowledge helps these teenagers to identify attitudes and behaviors that are known to be associated with adolescent sexual practices. In a nutshell, by having sexual education, it may help people from commit any risky behaviors that lead to poor early relationships Burnett (, 2019).

Another importance of sex education is the risk of teen birth HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be reduced (Elder, 2012). According to Hamilton and Ventura (2012), since 1991, the United States has decreased the rate of unintended pregnancies for sexual activity among adolescents. Shrinking statistics show the increasing usage of dual contraceptive and hormonal contraception methods. However, The United Nations (2012) reported that the United States is also leading among the developing countries with the highest rates of adolescent pregnancy. There are around 88% of underage pregnancy in the United States on average between the ages of 15 to 17 that happen to be unwanted. (Zolna, Finer, 2006). Besides, Jackson, Henderson, Frank (2012) also stated that to prevent unhealthy life, coercive or risky sexual behavior that may result in massive social problems, children and teenagers should provide precisely about sex education and follow a healthy lifestyle.

Besides that, formal school sexuality education can improve adolescents’ and young adults’ health and well-being. (Lindberg, 2006). The positive effect of the sexuality education can be accomplished by operating the program diligently in terms of delay in the initiation, decreasing sexual activity rate, decreasing changing sexual partners, and increase condom consumption (Chin, 2012). Also, a study from Advocates for Youth (2012) founds the student that taken a sexuality education programmed had decreased their absenteeism problem and improve in academics performance. Plus, Krauss (2012) stated the sexuality system offers sound medical knowledge, acknowledges the variety of cultural beliefs, and generates more sexuality education from their culture. Most teens and parents believe that the school’s sexuality awareness system is a crucial program to be provided for the sexual health education of teenagers. (Splitter, 2008). So, the government must establish sexual education as a compulsory subject in school.

Next, STIs, AIDS, and unplanned pregnancy are some of the things that can be avoided with early-age sex education (Buaraphan, 2019). It is a fact that preteen sex can lead to implications like STIs, AIDS, and unwanted pregnancies among teenagers (Shaw, 2016 as cited in Buaraphan, 2019). Other than that, half of the abortions in Southeast Asia are estimated to be dangerous for the people, and in a worse case, can even lead to death (Ganatra, 2017 as cited in Buaraphan, 2019). To further prove that this is an important thing, some data was collected by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (as cited in Buaraphan, 2019), showing that kids as young as ten can show their interest in sex. Hence, the needs of the

students are the most important things to do sex education, and the content must be suitable to the children’s age (Kay NS, 2010 as cited in Buaraphan, 2019). It is to ensure the children understand more about the importance of sex education.

Last but not least, early-age sex education can change the children’s perspective to develop better awareness and perceptions towards sex and reproductive health (Buaraphan, 2019). To prove this, many researchers support that it is best for starting sex education at an early age possible (Goldman, 2011 as cited in Buaraphan, 2019). According to Tungsaesakul (2017 as cited in Buaraphan, 2019), after the end of Thailand-made programs, the students reveal that their knowledge about safe sex is increasing substantially than before. Furthermore, students that participate in a sex education class had a positive attitude and a better understanding of sexuality (Chokprajakchad, 2018, as cited in Buaraphan, 2019). To make this possible, the curriculum of sex education must be suited to the history of the school, the student’s age, and cultural standards, as stated by Lyttleton (1996 as cited in Buaraphan, 2019) let the students and their parents embrace it fully and willingly. This can make the process of learning to become smoother with the support of all the parties involved.

In conclusion, education in sex and relationships should aim to tackle adolescent’s needs and preferences. This could be improved by a collaboration between teachers in sex education and others whom the young generation regards as a more reliable and knowledgeable person. Besides, sexual education and parenting are vital in the early years to ensure that kids have limitations and knowledge before they do anything related to sex and relationship. Sex education, also, in particular, can bring many benefits in terms of health. The child who received early sexual education is becoming aware. Lastly, early-sex education is an excellent way to introduce the children as they can be ignorant and can lead to problems if they do not know about it beforehand.

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REFERENCES

Breuner, C. C. (2016). Sexuality Education for Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics, Volume 138-2.

Buaraphan, C. C. (2019). Development and effectiveness assessment of a sex education learning unit for Thai primary students.

Sally Robinson and Carol Robinson. (2017). Risk and teenage parenthood: an early sexual health intervention. Emerald Insight, 382-394.

Sällström, B. D. (2019). Adolescents’ conceptions of learning and education about sex and relationships. American Journal of Sexuality Education.