Nakpodia (2012) defined sex education as a structured instruction on issues relating to human sexuality, including emotional
relations and responsibilities, human sexual
anatomy, sexual activity, sexual reproduction, age of consent,
reproductive health, reproductive rights, safe sex, birth control and sexual
abstinence. Human sexuality has biological, emotional and
physical or spiritual aspects. The biological aspect of sexuality refers to the
reproductive mechanism as well as the basic biological drive that exists in all
species, which is hormonally controlled. The emotional or physical aspect of
sexuality refers to the bond that exists between individuals, and is expressed
through profound feelings or physical manifestations of emotions of love,
trust, and caring. There is also a spiritual aspect of sexuality of an individual
or as a connection with others.
relations and responsibilities, human sexual
anatomy, sexual activity, sexual reproduction, age of consent,
reproductive health, reproductive rights, safe sex, birth control and sexual
abstinence. Human sexuality has biological, emotional and
physical or spiritual aspects. The biological aspect of sexuality refers to the
reproductive mechanism as well as the basic biological drive that exists in all
species, which is hormonally controlled. The emotional or physical aspect of
sexuality refers to the bond that exists between individuals, and is expressed
through profound feelings or physical manifestations of emotions of love,
trust, and caring. There is also a spiritual aspect of sexuality of an individual
or as a connection with others.
Experience has shown that secondary school students
are curious about some or all the aspects of their sexuality as well as the
nature of sexuality in general, and that many will wish to experience their
sexuality. In Nigeria and many other African countries, Secondary school
students are usually not given any information on sexual matters, with
discussion of these issues being considered taboo. Such instruction as was given
was traditionally left to a child’s parents, and often this was put off until just
before a child’s marriage if these information are given at all (Oganwu, 2013).
are curious about some or all the aspects of their sexuality as well as the
nature of sexuality in general, and that many will wish to experience their
sexuality. In Nigeria and many other African countries, Secondary school
students are usually not given any information on sexual matters, with
discussion of these issues being considered taboo. Such instruction as was given
was traditionally left to a child’s parents, and often this was put off until just
before a child’s marriage if these information are given at all (Oganwu, 2013).
Oladepo (2010) noted that most of the information
on sexual matters are obtained informally by secondary school students from
friends and the media, and much of this information are of doubtful value. Much
of such information are usually known to be deficient, especially during the
period following puberty when curiosity of sexual matters is the most acute.
This deficiency became increasingly evident, by the increasing incidence of
teenage pregnancies, contraction of sexually transmitted disease, abortions,
etc. He further stated that this is also worsen by the fact nowadays sex is
being glamorized in books, television and movies. These places do not really
encourage young ones to become chaste and also maintain conduct that gives them
real happiness both now and in the future. Since they are curious to know about
sex it will really be damaging if they are not given sex education both at home
and in the school.
on sexual matters are obtained informally by secondary school students from
friends and the media, and much of this information are of doubtful value. Much
of such information are usually known to be deficient, especially during the
period following puberty when curiosity of sexual matters is the most acute.
This deficiency became increasingly evident, by the increasing incidence of
teenage pregnancies, contraction of sexually transmitted disease, abortions,
etc. He further stated that this is also worsen by the fact nowadays sex is
being glamorized in books, television and movies. These places do not really
encourage young ones to become chaste and also maintain conduct that gives them
real happiness both now and in the future. Since they are curious to know about
sex it will really be damaging if they are not given sex education both at home
and in the school.
As part of each country’s efforts to reduce the
problems associated with lack of sex education, programmes of sex education were
instituted, initially over strong opposition from parent and religious groups. Indeed
sex education does not mean instructing children in sexual techniques or acts,
rather it entails giving the necessary facts or knowledge about sex and encouraging
questions and discussions (Robin, 2014).
problems associated with lack of sex education, programmes of sex education were
instituted, initially over strong opposition from parent and religious groups. Indeed
sex education does not mean instructing children in sexual techniques or acts,
rather it entails giving the necessary facts or knowledge about sex and encouraging
questions and discussions (Robin, 2014).
There are several suggestions on when to give a
child sex education. The present researcher feels that sex education should
commence as soon as the child begins to talk. For instance, it is not unusual
to see a child of 2 to 4 years asking his/her parents why mummy is having big
breast and daddy so small or why Paul is having a hanging thing between his
thigh and she is not. The answer to these questions should be simple and geared
to the child level of understanding using terms and languages that are
appropriate for male and female anatomy (penis or vulva).
child sex education. The present researcher feels that sex education should
commence as soon as the child begins to talk. For instance, it is not unusual
to see a child of 2 to 4 years asking his/her parents why mummy is having big
breast and daddy so small or why Paul is having a hanging thing between his
thigh and she is not. The answer to these questions should be simple and geared
to the child level of understanding using terms and languages that are
appropriate for male and female anatomy (penis or vulva).
