Sex Education is taboo in India. Adequate sex education is seen in India for a long. Many parents and children do not talk openly about sex education. Many children are scared of asking questions to their parents about sex education and switch to their friends or seniors. Our Prime Minister commenced awareness about sex education in 2018 in India. Many sex-related diseases are on a high scale in India and India ranks third in sex-related diseases. Sex education is a must for children. In India, adolescents contribute to around 25 + crores of the population. Out of this, 25% of the population is inclined to HIV+ patients. Out of this, only 28 % of boys and 31 % of young girls have knowledge about HIV control and prevention. 

When it comes to sex education, parents usually have many questions in their minds. How do I start? What should I say? When do I say it? These questions keep ticking every person’s mind. 

Sex education thankfully has changed since we were kids. You can't just do sex education with a one-time big deal, even if you think you've got everything covered. Today it's about having lots of short, on-again, off-again conversations with your children. 

The right source of sex education is their parents. Parents should make children aware of sex education correctly. There can be many related problems like HIV-related disorders and sexual violence.  

Today we are going to know about it from our experts who are joining the Bindass Bol series.

 Every Thursday, we at Medicircle organize a special series called Bindass Bol with Dr. Kumar Kamble. We have organized special series with Dr. Kumar Kamble in the awareness series where we are dealing with sex education in boys and adolescents.

 Dr. Kumar Kamble is not only a professional sexologist but also a de-addiction specialist. Dr. Kamble has special expertise and experience of working with King Edward Memorial Hospital in the Deaddiction Center for 4 years.

Dr. Raju Sahetya is the Founder Director of Pushpa Hospital in where he practices Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Fertility, and Prenatal Genetic Diagnostics since 1986.

Dr. Raju Sahetya has been visiting obstetricians and gynecologists at Hinduja Healthcare Surgical Hospital (Khar) and Cloudnine Hospital (Malad).

Dr. Sahetya has expertise in the field of Infertility - Test Tube Baby and Fetal Medicine - Prenatal Diagnostics.

Dr. Sahetya has a keen interest especially in the management of high-risk pregnancy

Sex education in India 

Dr. Raju Sahetya informs, “There is a block and nobody is coming forward to speak to children about sex education. This is a block in the mind. Parents are best friends of a growing boy and girl. What parents can explain to their child about sex education, nobody can do so. If parents fail to do so, they will reach the wrong sources through the internet. They will start searching and googling on the internet which creates a lot of confusion. They may learn something which is true which results in misinformation. Parents should invest time in making a child. A smart and knowledgeable child can take care of himself in any given situation. Sex education is not just a simple lecture but instead required an in-depth explanation. This is a day-to-day requirement. They give us some signals like “Qs” and we should explain them and slowly inculcate sex education in growing children.”

Sex education to stop sexual violence 

Dr. Sahetya says, “At the pre-school of toddler age, one should know about body parts and sex education. Anatomy of oneself and genitalia should be explained to make them broad-minded so that it comes to them naturally. Avoiding this can lead to negative consequences of crime. There will be respect for the opposite sex and they will respect each other, their body, and their anatomy. You will respect the physiology, anatomically, and their body.”

Dr. Kumar Kamble informs, “Sexual education has many aspects like- 

HIV transmission  Safe sexual boundaries Self-respect

Sex is normal behavior and appropriate knowledge is a must. Inadequate knowledge will lead to looking downward at the female gender, being unruly, and showing them power results in cases of rape. Right education is a must for sex education. Children should be explained about safe and unsafe touch. This results in reducing the cases of child sexual abuse. You should explain to your child in a healthy manner about sex education.”

Safe V/s Unsafe touch 

Dr. Kumar says, “Safe and unsafe touch must be taught to children. Children should be taught that certain parts of the body can be touched only by oneself and not by others. Parents should understand this concept and explain it to their children correctly. This can lead to a positive start of safe and unsafe touch in the children”

Role of Sex education by parents and family 

Dr. Raju informs, “Toddlers and pre-school children generally tend to ask this question like from where does a baby come in this world or how does pregnancy occur. We generally tend to ignore such questions and answer in vague form. When this child grows into a teenager, it is important to explain them well so that they are neglected. They might turn to friends to ask this question. When they become an adult, they learn about sex education, HIV transmission, and contraception. True love and sex should be out of loyalty, and commitment. Using somebody and trying to take opportunity will lead to cases of rape and violence. Sex education must be inculcated right from start incorrect manner by parents so that in the future also they turn to parents’ support to know more. Menstruation should be explained correctly to a growing girl that it is normal and a sign of reproduction.”

Educate your child about sex education 

Dr. Raju says, “Parents should explain about body parts of their child about penis development and breast development. This should be explained normally and do not compare with anyone and each one is different. They should speak about the following - 

Safe and unsafe touch  Female children should know about the uterus, vagina, and periods Discuss the menstrual cycle  Hygiene care Explain to the child about sex education  Be your child’s friends Open up with a child  Discuss positively and openly on the table Avoiding misleading the child.“

Dr. Kumar Kamble says, “When you get a chance, speak to your child. If there is any scene in the movie, explain it to your child. Do not bombard your child. Share knowledge as it comes. It should be more casual talk. Giving knowledge in proper terms and appropriate terminologies. Parents should be educated about the same.”

(Edited by Dr.Rati Parwani)