How Sexuality is Simultaneously a Personal, Social, Structural, Historical and Culturally Specific - Essay Example

Sex is a of great curiosity for most children and young adults. Despite changing attitudes towards sex and immense focus of sex education in schools, studies have shown that there is an alarming rate of ignorance about the subject among young people. Children barely 11 years of age are engaged in sexual activity and even bear children. Is sex just a personal choice or are there several factors influencing sexual behaviour? Based on four newspaper articles,: “Sex and the betrayal of our young “ by Tim Luckhurst published on 15 May 2006 in the Daily Mail, “Robbed of childhood in too much to soon world “ published on 17 May 2006 in the Aberdeen Press Journal, “What teens really think about sex: Experts shocked as report reveals depth of ignorance that leads many to unsafe sex” by Denis Campbell, published on 21 May 2006 in The Observer and “Children sent wrong message about sex” by Ann Whittaker , dated 6 June 2006, published in Western Morning News (Plymouth), this paper seeks to examine how sexuality is simultaneously a personal social, structural, historical and culturally specific. The paper will discuss how society views these young people and attitudes towards their sexuality. The language used when discussing the context of their sexuality along with the role of sex education and the role of family and society will be discussed. Hormonal changes and social attitudes are key drivers of sexuality. For many young people, sex is something that excites them and an area they wish to explore. The sexual behaviour of adults too influences children. Today’s teenagers and children are aware that many adults have sex outside marriage and are often not committed to a single partner. They take cue from such behaviour and believe that it is alright to lead a promiscuous life. (BBC) Driven by advertising images, social communication and other inputs on sexual behaviour, young minds are keen to experiment with sex. All the articles accept that social values are fast changing. In the contemporary society it is generally accepted that young people are likely to indulge in sexual activity before marriage and in sex without commitment. However, the writers of these articles seem to view children and teenagers as vulnerable and immature. While they understand that sexual behaviour is an issue of personal choice, as a society they express their concern for these young people and the urgent need to take adequate steps to prevent them from indulging in immature and irresponsible sexual behaviour that could leave them scarred for life. Elaborating on the need to protect young people, Tim Luckhurst states that even in the 16th and 17th centuries when child marriages were common, consumption of the marriage and indulgence in premature sex was considered harmful. While there is general consensus on the dangers of premature sex, the real concern is about teenage pregnancies. The article, ‘Robbed of childhood in a too much too soon world” throws light on the double standards prevalent in society and how people do not mind if a 11 year old is sexually active but are very concerned when a 11 year old becomes pregnant. This is primarily because they believe that sex may be a personal choice but bearing unwanted children is a social issue and definitely not Childs play. Using words like ‘confused’ ‘worrying’, disgusting’ and unacceptable, the writers of these article reveal that they disapprove of this growing trend. They feel that indulging in sex is ‘inappropriate’ and believe that the young people in question lack maturity. In these articles the writers have clearly stated that there is the need to ‘protect’ these children till they attain the mental maturity to indulge in sexual activity. According to a study conducted by Liverpool John Moores University Centre for Public Health, the age at which puberty begins has come down significantly over the last century. The report also mentions that there is an increasing gap between ‘physical puberty’ or the age at which the physical changes to the body happen and ‘social puberty’, the age at which the youngsters are socially permitted to make sexual choices. (BBC, Oct, 2006) To manage this disparity and prevent developmental problems in children, sex education is very essential. An interesting aspect highlighted by all the articles is that the number of teen pregnancies has grown following the introduction of sex education programmes in schools. All the articles are extremely critical about the implementation of the sex education programmes in schools. The writers have frequently described the programme as an ‘abusive’ one that that encourages the ‘exploitation’ of children. In his article Luckhurst, a father of four says that the aggressive sex education programme followed in primary and secondary schools can disturb young minds. Vivid descriptions and sexual imagery often leave them confused and they find themselves vulnerable when someone slightly older than them tries to take advantage. Ann Whitaker in her article says that children and teenagers are often sent the wrong message. While educating them on sex is essential, being dismissive about abstinence of following the legal age of consent can be damaging. The moral aspect of sex she fels needs to be emphasized. She also states that the current practice was working as a hospital service that does repair work on the damages of irresponsible sex. The education system she feels should focus on promoting virtues and speak the truth about sex. Denis Campbell’s article emphasizes that sex education is not just about reproduction and contraception but should also deal with social issues like handling pressure from peers and even the media. The article quotes a young student who says that inadequate sex education can be disastrous for students. On the other hand proper sex education can prepare them to be careful. The student also says that several related issues sexually transmitted diseases, managing social pressures all need to be made and integral part of the programme. The morality of sex and focus on fidelity, the writers say have been completely ignored in the sex education programme. The focus of this programme they feel should be on building mature relationships and not just the mechanical aspects of sex. Sex is made into a commercial commodity and is treated as something illicit. As a result the young minds are negatively influenced by the sex education programme. All the articles agree that family, especially effective parenting can go a long way in influencing the sexual behaviour of young people. The marginalized sections of society, children of teenage mothers, the poor and deprived, according to the writers are the worst affected. Lack of information and protection, they say leads many young people from this strata of society to experiment and indulge in high-risk sexual behaviour. In all the articles the writers agree that both the state and the families have a key role to play in protecting children from irresponsible sexual behaviour. Luckhurst in his article specifically states that girls from middle class backgrounds usually enjoy the security of a family and are less likely to go through unwanted pregnancies. Ann Whitaker too stresses on the role of parents and says that they should be kept informed if their children were to indulge in sex before the legal age of consent. The significance of family background and culture is emphasized in the article “Robbed of childhood in a too much too soon world” clearly states that many parents do not have the skills to manage their children’s behaviour. The article also states that when children ruin their lives with their irresponsible behaviour it becomes the responsibility of the parents to help them sort things out. The article describes how children of teenage mothers often find themselves struggling to cope with unwanted pregnancies. The lack of opportunities and poverty often binds them to a life of misery and being a mother is one way of acquiring a social status. Denis Campbell’s article on the other hand discusses the cultural aspect of sexualiy. He describes how children of ethnic minorties are often confused about sex as their parents attitude is very traditional as compared to what is taught to them at school. As a result they indulge in high risk sexual behaviour s compared to the children who come from ore progressive families. From these articles it is evident that an integrated approach to sex education involving the Government, schools, teachers, parents and students, is very essential. Luckhurst’s article describes how Government attitude towards sex education is shrouded in embarrassment. Luckhurst as a parent feels that the programme prevalent in schools is aggressive and disturbing. The role of the family in influencing a child’s sexual behaviour is significant. So the views of the family must be taken into account. Students on the other hand are curious but often embarrassed to ask. Schools and teachers too have their reservations. Even though the decision to have sex is a personal one, sexual behaviour is influenced by family, social strata and cultural background . As a result it is important to develop a comprehensive sex education programme that includes the moral, social and emotional aspects of sex is essential to promote responsible sexual behaviour among young people References: BBC, 18 October, 2006, “Children need sex advice sooner “. Viewed on 15 November, 2007 at, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6062670.stm BBC, “Sex and snogging”, cience and Nature: Human Body and Mind. Viewed on 15 November, 2007 at, http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/articles/emotions/teenagers/sex.shtml Read More