The Provision of Sex Education in Hong Kong Schools - Case Study Example

Sex Education and Culture in Hong Kong Sex Education and Culture in Hong Kong Introduction Sex education in schools is critical in any society. This is because the behaviors acquired in childhood last well into adulthood. This has led many countries to include sex education in their curriculums. In Hong Kong, sex education has been incorporated in the school curriculum since 1985 but the program has not yet brought about the intended goals (Wan-Yim, 2001. In this paper, I investigate the state of sex education in Hong Kong schools and especially why there has been a mismatch on sexual education and behavior. Through an examination of the existing literature, the research will establish that culture has hindered the provision of sex education in Hong Kong schools. The State of Sex Education in Hong Kong Education should have a long-term objective of readying children to join the society as active players and responsible civilians. This nature of education means that the focus of education should not just be concentrated on academic achievement. As a whole person, students should be given skills on how to live their lives in the future. In many societies, sex is perceived as one of the instincts and it is therefore categorized with hunger and thirst. Instinct is hard to define but in the everyday usage it is used to delineate an urge, which directs actions and which is triggered by a biological need. Behaviorist psychologists categorize sex as a basic drive and they presuppose that the laws that direct behavior triggered by hunger will also relate to sexual behavior since sexuality is innate and instinctive. Although love is important, sex is more important since without it the world would become extinct in a generation (Wong, & Tang, 2011). The advancement of sexuality is a life-long procedure. It begins at birth, proceeds to adolescence, advances to maturity, old age, and stops at death. During critical periods in different phases of life, making choices on sexuality is inevitable. These choices bring about permanent effects. Sexuality decisions that are made in an ideal manner bring about pleasure and contentment, otherwise, negative effect on personality development may occur. Despite the importance of making ideal sexuality decisions, many parents in Hong Kong still harbor a conservative attitude towards sex. They are not enthusiastic to talk to their children about sexual matters, and this is because majority of the parents are shy to talk on sex and they are often at a loss on how to express what they feel. Majority of these parents are not open-minded to an extent where they can share their sexual experiences with their children. On the other hand, majority of the parents actually know the significance of sex education for their young ones. According to a survey done by Wong & Tang (2011), findings from a combined group showed that people realize the significance of sex education programs that can assist them or their children deal with sexual matters in an ideal ways. The report concludes that Hong Kong indeed has a great need and desire for sex-related education programs and they should address not only the physiological or physical part of sex, but is should also incorporate the psychological and interpersonal aspects. It is clear that people perceive sex education as an important topic, mostly for the teens. However, it is also clear that due to the prevailing culture most parents depend on school offering sex education and other related programs and services to their children. Promoting sex education programmes in learning institutions is not only a request of the government but of the public as well. Although there have been resources to guide parents teachers and youth leaders to encourage sex education programs, it was not until fifteen years ago that the Hong Kong government took an initiative to promote sex education in schools. At first, people were closed minded but the passage of time has brought along a change in attitude and today more people are open to sex education. The importance of sex education in schools is evident given that 75% of young people in Hong Kong today actually have boyfriends/girlfriends while in school. Today, most Hong Kong boys and girls report that they had a relationship before they turned 16 while others had a relationship while they were 10 and 11. This shows a significant rise in the data given that the number of boys and girls who were in a relationship in 1991 were 2% and 2.5% respectively. This figure then rose to 6% and 4% respectively ten years later. This same study showed that the number of teenagers who have been seeking help about pregnancy and contraception has been rising significantly over the years. The same study also showed that the number of secondary school students who have engaged in premarital sex has also been rising steadily over the years. Reports also indicate that sex value of the adolescents is wanting and confused. This can be seen from the fact even though all the adolescents have heard about at least one method of contraception; fewer than half of them have ever used one. Some of them acquired the comparatively undependable rhythm method. This proved that their understanding of sex was piecemeal, they were not adequately educated, and they did not comprehend the significance of contraception. This discrepancy between sexual knowledge and behavior is a truly danger sign (Higgins, Zheng, Liu, & Sun, 2002). In essence, after the increasing demands to introduce sex education in Hong Kong schools, the Education Department presented the “Guidelines on Sex Education in Secondary Schools” in 1986. Since that period, more schools have tried to implement sex education in their schools. Despite this, it is critical to ask whether this education has been successful in bringing about the desired results. In the discussion of sex education, it is imperative to examine how culture impacts the provision of sex education in Hong Kong schools. The need to examine how cultural attitudes affect the provision of sex education is brought about by the existing discrepancy between sexual education and behavior (Higgins, Zheng, Liu, & Sun, 2002). In the last two decades, there has been a great transformation in the extent and value of sexual awareness and also a rise in the erotic orientation of Hong Kong culture. Students are increasingly enthused and flooded by sexual literature and at the same period parental literature has diminished significantly. In addition to this, young people tend to be more autonomous and curious, and they often undergo a period of bewilderment and confusion during their adolescence period. Due to this, they usually misconstrue the idea of human sexuality and its relevance which may drive them to inappropriate or even illegal behaviors (Nagal, 2013). As noted earlier, there is an emerging culture that has led an erosion of the knowledge and attitudes towards sexuality among young people. Most of them see sexual behavior as not being serious as in the past. According to the findings of one study (Family Planning Association of Hong Kong, 2014) that sought to discover the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of teenagers on sex, there is lack of seriousness on the way that people approach sexuality. This study reveals that the biggest source of sex education among teenagers is newspapers followed by newspapers and then biology classes. The figures indicate that every eight out of ten sources are all linked and traced back to the media. Despite the existence of sex education programs, the study indicates that the adolescent’s source of sex knowledge from parents is 20% while that from their teachers is even lower. If the result of this study is valid, then it is only right to examine the role of culture in shaping the attitudes on sex education (Family Planning Association of Hong Kong, 2014). Culture and Sex Education Unlike in the past, it has become evident that young people are approaching sex in a more open manner. Research has indicated that the ages in which young people engage in sexual intercourse has fallen significantly from 18 years just one decade ago to about 14 years today. These statistics are alarming and social workers and parents are becoming more concerned about the state of sex education that has lost its initial significance in Hong Kong. While many researchers have tried to explain the reason behind the failure of sex education in Hong Kong, the emerging research show that this failure has been brought about by the influence of Chinese culture (Nagal, 2013). According to sociologists, the discussion of sex is a taboo in China. This largely explains why sex education is becoming unpopular in Hong Kong. The influence of the Chinese on Hong Kong people is unquestionable with research from experts showing, 97% of the people residing in Hong Kong are of Chinese origin. This means that they have been under Chinese influence since their birth. Like their Chinese counterparts, they find it embarrassing to talk about sex in an open manner. Given this background, the Hong Kong people regard sex as a dirty thing. This explains the scenario where most parents find it hard to discuss sex matters with their children in the open and instead chosen to leave this task to school teachers. Although sex education is a part of the school curriculum, it is apparent that the teachers have also been influenced by the Chinese culture and hence the reason why sex education has been neglected even in schools (Cuskelly, & Gilmore, 2007). According to Cuskelly, & Gilmore, (2007, a large problem stems from the fact that young people in Hong Kong are not just influenced by Chinese norms but also the constant western culture that approaches sex in a more open manner. In Hong Kong, young people have never heard their parents talk about sex but they are confronted by this talk at every direction from the Western media. As pointed out earlier, the Western media contributes 8 out of ten of the sex education that is available to the Hong Kong youth, and this trend has been promoted by the advancement in technology. Despite the apparent increase in sex education among young people from the Western media, there has not been any positive change in the prevailing attitudes. The reason for this is that the Western television programs where this education is offered treat sex as an entertainment tool. A good example to prove that sex is used as an entertainment tool is a TV program called Super where a man and a woman are supposed to use their faces to sandwich a toast that has just been gotten from the oven. At times, those playing this game use the opportunity to kiss their partners. To those watching, this game means that sex is an entertainment. What is disturbing about this kind of television program is that it is very popular among young people. The young people obviously get the wrong information concerning sex but due to viewing sex as a taboo topic, the parents do not make any efforts to correct the misconception. This means that despite being influenced by the Western media, the attitude of young people towards sex is also wrong (Cuskelly, & Gilmore, 2007. The major variation between young people in Hong Kong and their counterparts in the West is sex education. In the West, school children are imparted with the right knowledge on sex such as the ideal method of using contraceptives, the right manner to select a sex partner among other things. Unlike in Hong Kong, this knowledge is imparted both at home and in the schools. Although young people in Hong Kong are imparted by the West, the do not have the right knowledge about the Western Culture. What this implies is that they have the wrong attitudes regarding sex, and this is a truly dangerous trend. The evidence of this is in the rising cases of sex and crime among young people. While sex education is available in the school curriculum, it is apparent that it is not getting achieving its intended purpose and should therefore be reviewed (Bazzo, et. al, 2007). How Sexual Education in Hong Kong Schools can Define Culture In their 2004 article, Daria and Campbell have pointed out the importance of offering sex education in schools. Their article points out that offering sex education enables students to get correct information concerning sex in an environment that is non-threatening. This therefore gives the students an opportunity to choose the kind of values that they would want to have regarding their sexuality. Following this argument, it is not hard to understand why there has been continued lack of values on sex in the Hong Kong community. In most cases, the Hong Kong youth adopt the ideals that are prevalent in their culture. At the same time, the Western media has further complicated their understanding on sex and majority of them end up engaging in the kind of free sex that is promoted by the Western media but at the same time find it hard to talk about it due to the prevailing Hong Kong culture towards sex. that has in effect created a society that is promiscuous but at the same time it is in denial. With the right sex education, the prevailing Chinese culture in Hong Kong can be changed to create an environment where people are free to talk about sex. For this to be possible there is need for more efforts especially on the part of parents (Chen, 2005). In the present scenario, parents leave the provision of sex education to teachers who do not either appear to be enthusiastic about offering that education. Although it is a part of the curriculum, most students have claimed that even the teachers do not teach them this important education. This means that only biology teachers are left with the task of teaching about sexuality in schools. The problem with this is that the education that they offer is academic in nature and it does very little in teaching the students why they feel or react the way that they do. For this culture to be changed there is need for parental participation from the time a child is young. If the current trend is not challenged, the children will themselves grow to be parents still with these beliefs and then pass them over to their children (Bazzo, et. al, 2007). Given the high number of young people who are engaging in sexual intercourse before they attain the age of 14 years, there is a clear need for sex education in schools. Experts point out that having the right sex education helps young people to say no to sexual advances until they are ready for intercourse. Apart from this, sex education also helps in relaying the right information concerning sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS. Given the high rate of HIV infection in Hong Kong, it is apparent that sex education is highly required. At the present, while many people know about HIV/AIDS, the prevailing culture prevents them from talking about it and this creates a scenario where people transmit the virus knowingly simply because they are embarrassed to talk about their sexuality. Sex education will most likely create a society with healthy sexual lifestyle (Daria and Campbell, 2004). In the current society, every family wants to have a reduced number of children. The desire by the government to keep the population growth in check has seen them engage in an aggressive campaign that is geared towards educating people on how to curb population growth. Despite the existence of this campaign, there have been numerous cases of unwanted pregnancies that have been reported in Hong Kong. Given the high number of women with unwanted births, it is apparent that the sex education that the government has been offering is not as effective as it should be. This occurrence is similar to the one among school going children where it has been reported that most of them have heard about at least one contraceptive but very few of them have used any. Although the number of births in Hong Kong has fallen significantly in the past few years, experts warn that this does not in any way mean that the proffered sex education has been effective in any way. This is because the same period has recorded an increased level of abortions. This means that people are still getting unwanted pregnancies but they go ahead to terminate the pregnancy (Abdullah, et. al., 2003). As noted earlier, the culture in Hong Kong does not allow for the discussion of sex matters in public. Although people have become a little open on matters regarding sex, Hong Kong is still a conservative society especially in relation to sexual matters. Most people regard talking about sexual matters to be a taboo, and for many years, Hong Kong has been a society that has had strong cultural roots from China and breaking them would require a strong commitment especially from the government. While most young people know about sex education, the cultural background from which they come from prevents them from discussing openly about sex. The heavy presence of Western media has brought about a double cultural influence especially on the young people in Hong Kong. This has only served in heightening the existing confusion among he young people in relation to sex (Abdullah, et. al., 2003). Conclusion and Recommendations Sex education is an integral part of any society. This is because without it a society would often lose focus and become extinct in the process. This is because love is good but it takes sex for procreation to be possible. Hong Kong has realized the importance of this education and the ministry of education has adopted a sex education guideline to help in teaching sex education in their schools. Although this guideline has been available to Hong Kong schools for almost three decades now, it has attained very little success. a thorough analysis into this issue has established that the little success in the proffered sex education in Hong Kong schools is because of the prevailing attitudes that the Hong Kong people have towards sex and sex education. Ideally, 97% of the Hong Kong people draw their culture from the Chinese and this affects nearly every part of their society. Traditionally, the Chinese are known to be conservative towards sexual matters and even discussing about it is considered a taboo. That has in a large way affected how Hong Kong perceives sex education and this greatly explains why sex education has failed to bring the desired results in the country. Although parents know the importance of sex education, they have left schoolteachers with the task of educating the young ones on sex. This has however not borne any fruits since the teachers also appear to be conservative and are reluctant to teach the youth about sex. This has made the Western media as the only channel through which young people can learn about sex. The western open nature and the Hong Kong closed nature towards sex have created confusion among young people in Hong Kong and this has had disastrous results. The wrong information regarding sex that the youth have gotten has not in any way been corrected and because of this, there has been a notable degradation in sexual morality among most young people. Unlike in the past, the number of young people with boyfriends or girlfriends while in school has gone up significantly in the past few years. While majority of the young people known of at least one contraceptive, very few of them have actually used any one of them. this shows that there is a big mismatch between the offered sex education and behavior. This failure has been brought forth by the prevailing culture in the society. For the right solution to be gotten there is need for the government to review how teachers have been offering sex education in schools. Parents should also be encouraged to teach their children about sex education since it has been proved that is taught at a young age lasts well into old age. While very little can be done to prevent children from being exposed to Western Media, parents can impart the right knowledge on sex to their children to prevent them from being misinformed by the media. Unless this is done, this wrong behavior will still be passed down to the next generation and this wrong attitude of sex will prevail for a long time to come. References Abdullah, A., et al. (2003). Effects of a Brief Sexual Education Intervention of the Knowledge and Attitudes of Chinese Public School Students. Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention & Education for Adolescents & Children. 5(3-4), 129-149. Bazzo, G., Nota, L., Soresi, S., Ferrari, L. & Minnes, P. (2007). Attitudes of social service providers towards the sexuality of school students. Journal of Applied Research 20: 110-115. Chen, F. (2005). A study of the implementation of sex education in Hong Kong secondary schools. Sex Education, 5(3), 281-294. Cuskelly, M., & Gilmore, L. (2007). Attitudes to sexuality questionnaire among individuals and community norms. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 32 (3), 214-221. Daria, M., & Campbell, K. (2004). Schools Need Sexuality Education Programs. 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