One point that almost all scientists agree on is that sexuality is one of the most basic needs of humans. It is at the basis of life, but it is also clear that sexuality is one of the most difficult topics to talk about and discuss, especially in conservative societies. People living in such societies may sometimes choose to act as if sexuality does not exist. This situation can be clearly observed both in people's daily lives and in education.
When it comes to sexual education, the difficulties in conservative societies become even more evident. Today, sexual education is widely provided in the USA, Australia and EU countries. However, in schools in countries where the majority of the population is Muslim, there is either no sexual education or a similar educational practice or it is not at a sufficient level and content.
Like many Islamic countries, there is no sexual education course in schools in Turkey, where the majority of people are Muslim. Sexual education is also a taboo subject in Turkey. Sexual education studies in Turkey have never gained a place as a course in formal education. It seems that the studies carried out are mostly in the form of project studies carried out by different institutions.
We see the first sexual education practice in Turkey in 1974. This practice was carried out by the Turkish Family Planning Association in the form of local training events. Between 1993 and 1998, a comprehensive project titled "Change: The First Step to Young Girlhood" was carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of National Education and a private company called SANIPAK. Within the scope of this project, only 2,140,000 female students between the ages of 13 and 15 were reached and provided with short-term training on sexual health. Between 1999 and 2003, the project was repeated with the participation of PROCTER & GAMBLE and TOPRAK HOLDING companies and was expanded to include male students and was named the Adolescence Change Project. This study focused mostly on sexual health information and the physical changes experienced during adolescence.
Apart from these studies, there are small studies in Turkey. Some related studies are carried out from time to time by various associations and institutions. However, it seems that the studies are limited only to the physical changes in adolescence and STDs, and they are far from the comprehensive sexual education practices implemented in EU countries.
When we look at the attitudes of families in general, we can say that conservatism predominates. It seems that the main concern of families in Turkey about sexual education is that their children will have sexual experiences at an earlier age if they receive sexual education. However, families are not against their children receiving sexual education. They find it appropriate that this education should be provided in schools, but they emphasize that they should be consulted about the content and that the content of the education should be provided in accordance with social values. The topics they want to include in education mostly consist of family and family duties and parental responsibilities.
Are the families justified in their concerns? So, does giving sexual education lessons really increase the age of individuals to have sexual experience or sexual intercourse? Research clearly shows that the opposite is true. Those who have taken sexual education lessons have sexual experiences at later ages compared to those who have not. In fact, we see that even giving sexual education at an early age does not have a negative effect.
When we look at the studies on sexual education, it is seen that sexual education is definitely a necessity in countries like Turkey. Adolescents and young people also state that they need sexual education. Providing sexual education increases individuals' knowledge about sexual issues (especially their awareness of their own bodies increases), increases the use of contraception and birth control methods, ensures that individuals' sexual lives become more satisfying, and increases their self-confidence. It changes attitudes towards women positively and reduces the dominant patriarchal understanding.
It is also an important fact that the first step of sexual education begins in the family. In this context, families also improve themselves. It is a very important requirement that they Don't worry; When your child reaches a certain age (on average around 3 - 4 years old), he or she will request sexual education from you. Simply put, he will ask the obvious questions: How did I become? Why am I not in your wedding photos? Who did you leave me with when you went on your honeymoon? How did my brother get into my mother's womb?
Are you ready for questions like these? Do you know what to do when you encounter such questions? If your answer to these questions is no, it means it's time to get to work. Moreover, you do not have to wait to have a child for this. It would be beneficial for you to equip yourself in this aspect so that the sexual education you give to both yourself and your child is healthy. You can read books prepared for this or get help from a sexual therapist or counselor.
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