Sex Education: Never Too Early?性教育越早越好吗

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Since the Sex Cultural Festival in Guang Zhou won a big hit among college students last year; in 2007, the annual festival will land on high school campus for the first time offering lectures as well as panel discussions. However, just in its neighboring province, Guang Xi, the authority of a high school issued a new regulation forbidding students to talk to the opposite sex without the presence of a third person. As sex education becomes an inevitable and more pressing topic, these news display the two opposite attitudes towards sex education. Is it too early for high school students or too late? Let's see whether we can find the answer from the media.

Pictures in a children's book on sex education. [Photo: bbs.megajoy.com]

One article from Guangzhou Daily points out that, although sexual and reproduction health courses have been offered in Chinese schools since many years ago, the education has never been adequate. Traditionally in Chinese culture, talking about sex was a private matter, not for public discussions. But the author thinks sex education nowadays has no need to be carried out only in a private way anymore.

So it is a promising phenomenon that the teenagers are now able to openly exchange with experts during this festival. China is working hard to break taboos on sex education. Teenagers who are entering their adulthood will know sex sooner or later anyway with adult videos and pornography easily attainable these days. Sex cultural festival is a much better resource instead.

Oriental Morning News argues that the news represents two extremes. Although both high schools mentioned above aim to benefit the students, but the author is afraid that they are going too far. The case in Guang Xi province reflects the conservative attitude that is not appropriate; likewise, the stance of the Guangdong high school where the sex cultural festival is going to be held is beyond the acceptance of the teenagers. The author says that the teens are teens, who are not psychologically and emotionally mature yet. So we should tell them the right information and advices step by step. It can not be achieved by a sensational approach like a sex festival.