Dubai: It has opened a heated debate given that the subject is controversial. But despite the fact that almost everyone is influenced by the topic of sex, it remains for most parents and educators in the Arab world a delicate or taboo topic to discuss with the youth.
Psychologists and social counsellors in the UAE say sex education must be part of the educational system as it would prevent many "inappropriate practices," and would serve the right of the youth to understand the topic in a scientific and unbiased manner, within the context of religion and culture.
A senior official at the Dubai Educational Zone and a former counsellor explained that due to the "widespread ignorance among pupils during puberty to the physiological and hormonal changes in their bodies, they start seeking information from friends and the internet. Here lies the problem."
According to Ayman Abdul Hamid, a counsellor at a public secondary school, ignorance about sexual instincts is the reason behind the high divorce rates, troubled marriages, and the increase in psychological and sexual disorders later on in life.
"We need professionals in the field of religion, psychology, and family education to set a subject that addresses the appropriate relationship between a husband and wife," he said.
A curriculum for each grade should be set to suit the pupil's age, adding that the material should be introduced in a scientific and logical manner and in the context of religion.
He said sex education is proven to develop the physiological, mental, and psychological maturity of pupils, and it would protect them and provide an understanding of a stable familial relationship.
Moetaz Bu Bashy, another counsellor at a public school, said he advocates the introduction of sex education in schools but added, "Our culture is not open to such issues."
The western media are widely advertising "homosexuality, which is influencing the youth," he said. The issue might begin as a "likening or imitating of the opposite sex, but in many cases it develops into physical intimacy [homosexuality]," he said.
The reason behind the "psychological illness," as he describes it, is that pupils are not properly brought up. "Many of them are raised by foreign housemaids and tend to pick up alien behaviour."
He said it is commonly witnessed among pupils of grades 7 to 9 and it is dominant among females, in comparison to males. Some parents are willing to address the issue when they find out that their child is homosexual but most are "ashamed and in denial".
Dubai Educational Zone is studying a plan to set up a psychological counselling centre to help pupils with various psychological and behavioural problems, according to Khowla Al Rumaithy, Deputy Director of Dubai Education Zone.
She said the increase in certain types of behaviour is the impetus for setting up the centre.
"When it comes to homosexuality, we are not facing a major crisis but we have some cases resulting from a lack of awareness because many pupils come from troubled family relations," she said.
Some students also come from a family where the father is married to a much younger, uneducated woman, she said.
She acknowledged that a lack of sex education in public and private schools may cause homosexuality and lesbianism, saying that it is the role of counsellors to organise lectures.
She said that few cases of homosexuality were taken to a "psychiatrist for treatment" and in "one case, a female student was placed at an Adult Education Centre for remaining that way."
Ahmad Eid, psychological counsellor at the Ministry of Education, said the number of cases related to psychological problems is more than 3,000 across the UAE.
Of that number, 42 are related to homosexuality he said, adding that "these are the only pupils we know about because they undergo private counselling".
The overall environment in schools and at home affects or lures the pupil to engage in such practices, he said.
Youngsters usually imitate a behaviour they have observed from elders, which he referred to as "corrupters".
Eid said the new generation of parents is cooperative and aware of the dangers of such practices and is willing to collaborate with the school, teachers, and appointed counsellor.
Jamal Al Tawil, a counsellor at a public school and a social researcher at the Juvenile Association, said sex education should start from the parents and then from the school.
The lack of sex education is due "to ignorance and/or embarrassment to discuss the issue. If a parent is not willing to talk about crucial issues with their children then they are not fit to be a parent," he said.
It should be gradually instructed to pupils at the age of eight females and 10 for males, adding that it should be presented in a rational and scientific manner, taking into consideration the child's age.
Noor Yousuf, a student, advocates the inclusion of "sex education" into the educational system, saying it would "prevent curious people from exploring things in a wrong manner."
The topic should be taught in a scientific manner and challenge the perception rooted in the society of it being a "taboo subject."
Another student, Habiba said that the media, in particular the internet "is killing the innocence of children. They are growing well beyond their age, but in an unscientific and biased manner."
Have your say
Should sex education be part of the curriculum? What steps should be taken to avert deviant behaviour from developing in children? Is internet killing the innocence of children? Write to us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or send your comments below.
Your comments
Sex education should be a part of education but at a higher school level, maybe at grade 10 or 11. This would surely prevent homosexuality and children will get matured about the topic gettin to know various issues.
Qasim
London,United Kingdom
How can sex education help control homosexuality? The article somehow implies that sex education would be the quick fix to the homosexuality issuse. We did not have any sex education; we turned out OK, I think!
A. Khan
Dubai,UAE
I am not sure how sex education can help anyone from perversion. Discussing it openly and in coed classes especially, can be embarrassing and may not augur well in conservative cultures. I think sex education in school is bad, but maybe as an option in college or university, or through website information for curious minds.
Syed Khan
Toronto,Canada
Yes. sex education should be taught in schools but in a very subtle way keeping in mind our culture, traditions and way of life. While we should learn the good things of the West, we don't need to ape them completely.
S. Khan
Lahore,Pakistan
Sex education should not be the part of the curriculum. In Europe, where sex education is part of the curriculum children are more involved in such cases, which is not good for a healthy society.
Shahid
Dubai,UAE
It should be a part of curriculum but from the age of 16, for the reason that parents cannot teach sex education to their children.
Sayed
Abu Dhabi,UAE
