Opinion
Effects Of Sex Education On Youths
Sex education is a process whereby information is given out to the young which takes into account development, growth, the anatomy and psychology of the human reproductive system and changes that occur from childhood to adulthood.
It is the acquisition of knowledge that deals with sexuality. It consists of institutions on the development of physical, mental, emotional, social, economic and psychological phases of human relationship as they are affected by sex. This knowledge and concept (provided) will enable them make wise and responsible decisions about their sexual behavior at every stage of their lives.
Youths are interested in sex because of certain biological factors and body reactions caused by hormones suggesting sex in music, radio and advertisement. Film and televison reinforce that interest. There are youths of the age bracket of 10-24 which comprises 36 per cent of Nigeria’s population. It has been recorded that 50 per cent of patients with abortion complication are adolescents while over 16 per cent of female teenagers were reported to have experienced their first sexual intercourse at the age of 15 and 8.3 per cent the ratio for the boys of the same age.
Sex education can delay young people from having sexual intercourse if they are already sexually active. Virtually all studies conclude that sex education is a helpful tool in delaying early sex in teenagers. Adolescence is a unique period in every person’s life. It is a transition from childhood to adulthood.
Adolescence is a stage in human development where a lot of psychological as well as anatomical changes take place in every individual, resulting in sexual maturity. Many adolescents manage this transformation successfully while others experience storm and stress during this period. They find themselves engaging in behaviours like sexual experimentation; exploration and promiscuity, to mention, but a few. All these place these individual’s lives at risk.
These uncontrolled sexual behaviours place them at risk such as: contraction of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), HIV/AIDs, syphills, gonorrhea etc. All these are products of unprotected and indiscriminate sexual activities.
Sex education involves educating the child on the social, pathological and health benefits attached to abstinence from pre-marital sex. It creates the awareness that abstinence from sex is the only certain way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases and other associated health problems a mutually faithful monogamous relationship outside the context of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects.
Its advantages includes the following:
(a) Teaching about how young people can reject sexual Advance. Also, sex education informs that alcohol and drugs increase vulnerability to sexual advances.
(b) It also teaches the importance of attaining satisfactory level of self-sufficiency before engaging in sexual activity.
(c) Early sexual activities and random sex have negative effects which include, high rate of pregnancy in female adolescents. Inflated rate of sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, syphilis etc. High rate of abortion and other associated mortalities, secondary infertility and development of cervical abnormalities in adolescents. It leads to physical and emotional damages. Having children outside wedlock which is likely to be harmful to the child the parents and the society at large.
(d) Educating people on sex especially when they are growing would go a long way in reducing the rate of human destruction.
Therefore, sex education is a panacea for better knowledge and decision among adolescent. It should be encouraged to the highest maximal point.
Sometimes getting children to open up, especially when they are going through something like depression they may not know how to explain themselves, so approaching the subject by listening can make all the difference.
Therefore, parents’ relationship with their children should be cordial, so they could understand whether their children are going through depression. Children’s communication with their parents is something so essential. Every child should be able to open up and express his/her views to their parents, if their parents have been communicating with them based on sex education.
Children and youth should also feel free to ask question in areas which they feel bothered. When they are in depression they should feel free and converse with their parents that will keep the relationship going.
Most importantly, listen and don’t be afraid to ask your children questions. You might not want to know the answer but just relate with your kids as if you were best of friends, that could make them open up very well when they are in distress.
Obi is a student of Rivpoly, Bori.
Opinion
Man and Lessons from the Lion
Opinion
Marked-Up Textbooks:A Growing Emergency
Opinion
Humanity and Sun Worship

-
Sports4 days ago
CAFCL : Rivers United Arrives DR Congo
-
Sports4 days ago
FIFA rankings: S’Eagles drop Position, remain sixth in Africa
-
Sports4 days ago
NPFL club name Iorfa new GM
-
Sports4 days ago
NNL abolishes playoffs for NPFL promotion
-
Sports4 days ago
NSF: Early preparations begin for 2026 National Sports Festival
-
Sports4 days ago
Kwara Hopeful To Host Confed Cup in Ilorin
-
Sports4 days ago
RSG Award Renovation Work At Yakubu Gowon Stadium
-
Politics4 days ago
Rivers Assembly Resumes Sitting After Six-Month Suspension