Why sex education is important for teenagers

Karnataka has been in the news for the last couple of months, ever since condoms and contraceptive pills were discovered in the bags of teenagers in a school in Bengaluru last November. “Teenagers will be sexually active, there is no way that they won’t be," believes Dr Singhal, adding that the problem is more about them having sex without taking into account their own safety. When they don’t receive adequate sex education or when they can’t have open conversations with their parents, when they don’t have safe spaces to have these conversations, and they’re exposed to porn and explicit media too early, sexual activity becomes unsafe for them. Creating safe spaces for sex talk Teenagers being sexually active isn’t wrong but what is wrong is our lack of efforts in giving them the kind of scientific knowledge that they need. “Gradually incorporating correct information about human anatomy, changes expected during puberty, and safe sex practices will prevent teenagers from seeking the same information from other invalid or incorrect resources.” She adds that parents too, should be a part of this curriculum and be able to understand that the changes their teenager is going through are normal and should be taught how to combat them in a non-judgemental and accepting manner.