Sex Education in Schools

We the intellectual many a times forget about the design of nature. There are no schools, no hospitals, etc., for plants, animals or any other living organisms. It is man who has developed certain systems like formal/informal/distance education, hospitals, markets, business, governance, etc., that of course essential because man is endowed with intellect (thinking power) but has many other physical weaknesses too.

Like fear for death, sex is a life instinct. It is a cunningly devised natural mechanism at puberty; normally 12 to 14 years; and the desire of sex for procreation continues to grow; say; up to the age of 30-35 years and then it starts declining. Some living organisms die immediately after sex! There is a regular period for all animals for mating but not so for man. This is what the natural way of procreation is.

Man's history about 2000 years is known to us. Sex issue has been dealt differently at different times depending upon the social, religious, economical, and political conditions. In all such cases we need to admit that the think tanks of those days set certain code of conduct in the sex matters. For example, marriages were set when the kids were in wombs, child marriages, etc., mostly for social safety point of view.

Indian ancient literature is far advanced in sex matters but it started changing face depending upon needs then existing. For example, rape cases were unheard 7-8 decades ago, and today in modern age?

Sex is a pious act so to say adding value to natural procreation. Its awareness/training can be imparted both formally and informally. Instinct of course plays a vital role and one can gets information from peers and elders at the appropriate age say 15 years, mainly father for boy and mother for girl. Tantra Sect is totally dependent on sex.

There is another side to the issue, to learn Samyam, to understand limitations, to assess the boundaries and not to cross them. The power of procreation needs to be preserved; it is very precious and used to be utilized sparingly, when it is actually needed in the interests of social cause. I many a times think why such a confusion in the land of Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Swami Vivekananda?

Ashtang Yoga comprises of 8 facets, Yama (Values), Nimyama (rules, observance, etc.), Asanas (postures, physical exercise), Pranayama (equivalent to breath control), Pratyahar (retraining senses and mind), Dhyan (equivalent to mediation), Dharana (equivalent to relaxed awareness) and Samadhi (one with Cosmos). If these things are followed, sex automatically assumes a vital place in man's life and many of the ill problems are likely to die away.

It is the high time to adopt the appropriate path so that the demon of perverted sex will not swallow the society. Yes, creating awareness about sex is one of the ways but its inclusion in curriculum like value education may fetch a very limited success. The teachers, parents and elders will have to lead the young generation in the right direction through dialogue, illustration, examples, etc.

I would be happy if somebody proposes something in this direction. In my Institute, we always invite lady doctors and lady students have free dialogue with them. At times, counselling is also done. Boys are also informally made aware of the issues, arranging talks of experts, free dialogue with them and provide some relevant literature so that they are not taken away, misled by pornography or some such other (social (?)) media.

****** 8/7/2014 PHW