Why silence on sex education is a shame, not a source of pride

Is the Philippines proud of its sexual education failure?

The ongoing debate surrounding the proposed sex education bill authored by Sen. Risa Hontiveros forces a critical question: If not in schools, where will children learn about sex and relationships? The passionate, often heated, discussions surrounding the bill highlight the deep divisions within our society on this crucial issue. While proponents advocate for a comprehensive, age-appropriate education, opponents raise concerns about Filipino values and morals, frequently misrepresenting the bill’s actual content. This resistance begs a simple, yet profound, question.

Many adults can recall their own awkward and often misinformed introductions to sex. Personal anecdotes, like a classmate’s crude fifth-grade explanation of reproduction, underscore the potential for misinformation and confusion when children are left to their own devices. These experiences highlight the stark contrast between haphazard, peer-driven learning and the structured environment that a well-designed sex education curriculum could provide.

Critics of the bill often portray sex education as an attack on childhood innocence. This argument ignores the reality that young people are learning about sex, regardless of whether schools provide guidance. The information they encounter outside the classroom, from suggestive online content to peer pressure, is often inaccurate, incomplete, and potentially exploitative. Without access to reliable information, children are vulnerable to misinformation, harmful experiences, and exploitation.

The consequences of this knowledge gap are undeniable. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data paints a stark picture of teenage pregnancy, with one in 20 Filipino babies born to mothers aged 15 to 19. Alarmingly, births to girls aged 10 to 14 are increasing, often involving significant age disparities between partners, raising serious concerns about abuse. These pregnancies frequently lead to school dropouts, severely limiting young women’s potential and costing the country billions in lost opportunities. The health risks are equally devastating, with the PSA reporting 162 deaths among girls aged 10 to 19 due to pregnancy or childbirth in 2022 alone.

Further underscoring the information deficit, a University of the Philippines Population Institute study reveals that 44 percent of young Filipino females and 39 percent of young Filipino males lack access to reliable resources about sex, often relying on misleading sources like social media. This lack of knowledge extends beyond adolescence, with some newlyweds seeking professional help for even the most basic understanding of sexual intimacy.

The hypocrisy surrounding this issue is striking. While public discourse often avoids open discussions of sex, the Philippines ranks among the top consumers of online pornography. This disconnect between public morality and private behavior extends to sexual health, with the country experiencing high rates of HIV infections despite resistance to open conversations about prevention.

The debate about sex education is not simply about morality; it is about the health, safety, and future of our children. Prioritizing a narrow interpretation of morality over the well-documented consequences of ignorance is a profound disservice. A comprehensive, age-appropriate sex education curriculum is not an endorsement of promiscuity. It is an investment in our young people, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complex realities of relationships, sexuality, and their own bodies. It is an investment in a healthier, more informed, and more empowered society.

ANGELIKA DEL CARMEN