THE IMPORTANCE AND OPPORTUNITIES OF TEACHING SEX EDUCATION IN MIDDLE SCHOOL: A CASE STUDY OF SELECTED SCHOOLS
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
CONTEXT OF THE STUDY
Sex education is a significant but undervalued phenomenon that has plagued society for many years. This phenomenon is so complicated that different perspectives exist regarding it. In some ethnic groups where the discussion of sex is taboo, these differences foster security tolerance, while in others they create problems.
Sexual education is one of the most important predictors of future family stability in any nation. It is a comprehensive and methodical development plan that spans from infancy to adulthood. It is intended to produce socially and morally desirable sexual attitudes, behaviors, and practices; Calderwood and Sloan (1982).
Our society’s sexual problems have had a devastating impact on the individual. Some individuals hold false beliefs regarding sex education. This is not surprising given the fact that many elderly people have distinct perspectives on life.
In a society in which boys and girls are admitted to the same school, physical and emotional conflicts arise, resulting in arousal of sexual desire. This anxiety induces them to participate in this game of uncontrollable emotion.
Before addressing the scope of this study, the researcher will provide an overview of sexual terminology in this chapter. Sex e3ducation is the instruction children are supposed to receive about sex and human sexuality, but many parents do not teach their children about sex at all.
With the greater freedom to discuss sexuality in our society and the accelerated maturation of children in the present day. One could argue that the introduction of sex education to our teenagers is too early; however, the introduction of proper sex education to our youth or teenagers reduces many of the societal issues we face.
Teenagers should be given accurate and pertinent information about the changes and growth they observe in their bodies during the period of maturation. Girls’ breasts and pelvic bones broaden, etc., around the age of twelve (12), whereas boys’ sexual organs mature, chest widens, and larynx enlarges. The adolescent years are a crucial time in a person’s life, and many frustrations, such as school dropout, sexual immorality, and juvenile delinquency, can occur during this time.
No longer must sexual topics be concealed from children. They are expected to be given information about sex in order to overcome their desire and prevent them from straying.
Sexual desire can result in sexual immorality, which can lead to an unintended pregnancy. The majority of unmarried adolescents who have children are motivated by sexual and emotional desire. This can cause abortions and sexually transmitted diseases, so the answer is no.
Religious groups and the majority of society consider sexual relations between unmarried individuals to be improper. It can result in an unwanted pregnancy and psychological issues for the involved party.
The importance of sex education in junior high schools in the Egor local government area cannot be overstated. This is due to the influx of people from various ethnic backgrounds into the area. The size and population of the Egor local government area have both increased. When students are amongst themselves, the need to actualize sexual feelings becomes most apparent.
However, the parents’ stern warnings only provide a temporary check on the sexual tendencies of these youths. As a result of children being sent to secondary schools without a true understanding of sexual education, a great deal of problems arise as students play this game of uncontrolled emotions.
Since the current generation is involved in promiscuity and corruption, there is a need for them to be taught what a healthy sexual relationship is. As a result, there will be many changes in the lives of the students, their parents, and the community at large.
According to Calder-Wood and Sloan (1982), World War II liberated many attitudes about sex and signaled the beginning of a change in behavior, prompting people all over the world to advocate for children. In the 1920s, the American child study association pioneered an open approach to all topics, including sex education. Since then, more emphasis has been placed on reproductive education, expanding the concept.
Today, sex education encompassed a vast array of biological and sociological information. Today, there is an awareness of the need for sex education in schools, churches, and other institutions due to the growing concern over adolescent pregnancy, abortion, venereal diseases, an increase in promiscuity, and widespread marital and sexual problems.
Calder-Wood and Sloan (1982) concur that, historically, parents were primarily responsible for their children’s sexual education. Community agencies and religious organizations later joined the team, but these individuals were insufficient. Finally, sex education was integrated into schools because they could reach the largest portion of the population, and more objective sex education teachers are being trained in higher education institutions all over the world to teach sex education.
Moreover, knowledge of sex education will reduce the threat of causality that would have resulted from the illegal procurement of abortions by quack doctors. Currently, sex education programs have been incorporated into the curriculum of several secondary schools.
Therefore, sex education should be provided to children at all stages of development, as the foundation established in their early lives will determine the stability and quality of their marriages.
Teens should receive sexual education from their parents, teachers, counselors, and educators. It should also be introduced into secondary schools for adolescents of both sexes. With this introduction alone, significant changes will occur in the lives of students, parents, and the greater community.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
This study aims to highlight the need for sex education in secondary schools and to determine whether sex education has positive or negative effects on students. The majority of high school students are ignorant of sexuality and its problems. Students’ lives have been shattered.
Others mislead them by spreading incorrect information amongst themselves. Young people view sex education as amusing, as opposed to what it actually is. They view it as a personal and private affair of the participants, rather than a sex education program.
Numerous issues arise due to the lack of sexual education among our youth. There is an increase in unwanted pregnancies, the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases, and sexual promiscuity. All of these factors have resulted in an inability to concentrate, poor school performance, a high rate of school dropout, an increase in illiteracy, and overpopulation;
consequently, the educational opportunities of Nigerian youth are severely diminished, resulting in a significant social loss. According to behavioral scientists, the introduction of sex education is appropriate, despite the fact that parents and schools still do not provide adolescents with adequate sex education knowledge.
Numerous administrations have been extremely concerned about the optimal age at which sex education can be implemented. Who should teach sex education, what should be taught, and to whom? However, it should be understood that if sex education is properly delivered, it does not arouse morbid curiosity in young people, but rather the opposite. Misinformation, misinterpretation, and urban legends about sex functions result in dangerous outcomes; therefore, information about sex education teaches and provides an in-depth understanding of sex functions.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
This study aims to determine whether sex education should be included in the school curriculum. The study also intends to determine how sexual issues affect students. It would also teach the student that sexual relationships are a consequence of sexual promiscuity.
The purpose of this research is to determine the positive and negative effects of technology on students. It also seeks to determine the impact on students and society as a whole. It also seeks to determine the various methods by which sex education can be taught, who should teach it, and the desired outcomes of such instruction.
This study will contribute to the body of knowledge, especially if it focuses on sex education. This study opens the eyes of educational administrators and curriculum planners to the significance of sex education as a course that should be incorporated into the curriculum in order to enlighten adolescents and society at large.
The outcome of this research project will enable readers to recognize the need for sex education in junior high schools. It is hoped that the findings will correct the various misconceptions surrounding female sex education. There is nothing more detrimental to effective sex rejection than shame, embarrassment, dishonesty, lack of sex-related timidity, etc.
Solving the problem of sex education instruction in junior secondary schools in the Egor local government area will go a long way toward improving the health of each individual, the academic performance of students, population growth, and consequently the standard of living in the society.
The following are the required research questions for the purpose of this study:
1) Is sex education a course that should be taught in schools?
2) Is there trained staff to manage the course?
3) What benefits does sex education provide to students, children, and society as a whole?
4) What impact will the introduction of this course have on the students’ moral conduct?
5) Will the introduction of this course result in student delinquency and school dropout?
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY
At the conclusion of the study, it is anticipated that the findings will be beneficial to:
I The principal beneficiaries of this education are the students of various secondary schools.
ii) The parent whose child will have a greater understanding of sexual education
iii) A society in which the rate of unintended adolescent pregnancies will be drastically reduced
iv) Researchers, academics, and school administrators, as the study will assist them in enhancing their sexual education curricula.
SCOPE/DELIMITATION
The researcher selected three (3) secondary schools in the Egor local government area of Edo State, as well as a sample of teachers and parents from the selected schools, because he or she was unable to cover the entire scope of this study. Sexual education is a vast topic. It is essential for everyone, not just students or adolescents. This is limited to the teaching of sexual education in the curriculum of junior high schools.
LIMITATION OF STUDY
Time factor, transportation to and from her supervisor’s office, and a combination of domestic duties prevented the researcher from completing this study in its entirety.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE: Disease acquired through sexual contact, such as HIV and AIDS.
SEX: A fundamental driving force in human relationships between biological needs to produce culture, influence, love, and affection, etc.
These also have something to do with having intimate knowledge of both sex and each other.
Structures responsible for reproduction, such as the penis in men and the vagina in women.
Education is the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, and attitudes with the intent of producing a positive outcome. It is the process of altering a person’s behavior.
In discriminating sexual relationships that occur outside of the marriage relationship.
This is the stage of human development between the ages of 10 and 17 years old.
This includes knowledge of male and female anatomy or body parts, the basic process of human reproduction and development, sexual activity, consequences and responsibility, contraceptives or pregnancy, prevention, and where or how to obtain counseling.
Abortion is the process of ending a pregnancy.
PELVIC: iliac crest
This is the process of imparting knowledge, skill, attitude, and morals in order to contribute to society.
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THE IMPORTANCE AND OPPORTUNITIES OF TEACHING SEX EDUCATION IN MIDDLE SCHOOL: A CASE STUDY OF SELECTED SCHOOLS