The birds and the bees: where are the teens getting their sex education?
In a fast-paced world, often criticized for having an oversexed and sensationalized media, it is expected that teenagers would not get their sex education solely from their parents. Sex and Sensibilities youth correspondent Nicai de Guzman chats with several teens where they get their information about the birds and the bees and if they find it useful at all.
Here is what the boys have to say…
“I learned it from family members. It has been useful because they warned me of things that could happen, as well as safety precautions to avoid those.”– Bruin, 15, QC, Lourdes School
“I got my info about sex from a mix of credible and not credible cousins, and the internet. I guess the sex ed websites were the most useful since they were the least sensationalized.” – Francis, 17, QC, UP Diliman
“Peer groups, friends are my sources. In a way, it’s been useful since I don’t get shocked by the things that I hear and see.”– Karl, 14, Tacloban, Philippine High School for the Arts
“Internet and peer groups, especially when my friends tell stories. Yeah it’s useful because I’m more aware.”– Erwin, 15, Lourdes School
“I usually learn them from my older siblings and school. Of course it’s been useful because these days, media releases a lot of sex-related stuff so I don’t get shocked anymore.”– Nicko, 14, Philippine High School for the Arts
“I get my sources from more “experienced” friends, magazines, and the Internet. Yes, I find them useful, but of course, these are just pieces of advice. I always keep an open mind.” – Franz, 19, UP Diliman
And here is what the girls have to say…
“They teach us in school, in third year. It’s useful because at least you know what will happen to you and the diseases you can acquire when you do it.”– Jemima, 14, Nueva Ecija, Philippine High School for the Arts
“I get my sex education sources from television shows and magazines. Generally I find them useful because they’re practical, but not all the time.” – Sarah, 17, UP Diliman
“I get my information from innocent research and friends. I’m not sure if it’s been useful but it saves you from shock. It can also help you in biology to keep your interest up.” – Lyka, 14, Philippine High School for the Arts
“I learn from friends. Usually, just the terms, which is good because I’m not ignorant about such terms anymore.” – Kimberly, Pasig, UP Diliman
“I get my information from educational shows. Learning those things is important for my future, for a good future.”– Zyrha, 14, Tacloban, Philippine High School for the Arts
Though there’s really not much difference from where these youngsters get their information, it’s evident that their friends, family, school and media are common denominators.
Whether their sources are credible or not, what really matters is how they use this information. The 2002 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS3) by the University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI) surveyed 20,000 young Filipinos aged 15 to 27 nationwide and found a more permissive attitude towards pre-marital sex — albeit more in favor of males engaging having sex.
One in three young people thinks that there is nothing wrong for young men to have sex before marriage, but found that only 22% thought it was acceptable for women to do the same. The study also found that there is an increasing tolerance for women engaging in pre-marital (13% in 1994 to 22% in 2002), especially among older males (24% in 1994 to 38% in 2002) compared to older females (13% in 1994 to 22% in 2002).
What may be alarming is that the rise in sexual activity coupled with the increased tolerance of sexual behaviors is not accompanied by the accurate knowledge about its consequences. Also evident was the lack of understanding about safer sex and its benefits. For example, more than half of those surveyed did not know that a woman can get pregnant after only one sexual encounter, but majority of the respondents are aware about contraception.
Now that’s something to think about.
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