Arab Sex Education and Islam
June 13th, 2007Below is a short clip of an interesting and important topic discussed by media students in the UAE. Sex in the Arab and Muslim world remains to be a major taboo that has yet to be fully addressed by either our media sources or more importantly, our schools, despite it being a growing problem for our youth. So I congratulate these students on highlighting this brave topic and introducing it amongst other students in the region.
Key message: Not only is it okay to talk about these things; it should be an obligation! It has been ignored for far too long.
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I couldn’t agree with you more Esra’a, in fact UNU/ILI is preparing a sex ed short course after they are done with the course on violence against women.
It’s very important that we address it in educational informative way, it will only make our society healthier and more productive.
Well done. Conservative societies are, by definition, reluctant to talk about sex. Sex education has been taught in western public schools for only the past few decades. Before that it was often the wedding night when brides learned about sex (I suspect that, in contrast, the average man probably had some experience before that — but that’s the way things are).
As eluded to in the video, sex education is especially important considering the health consequences of the transmission of AIDS and other STD’s. Knowledge is power. And sex education provides young people with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.
Sex education does not people more promiscuous, as some religious and political leaders fear. In fact, it has the opposite effect. Some countries in Africa have been gravely stricken with high level of AIDS infections. The countries who are successfully battling the problem are the ones who talk about AIDS from the highest level of government. They don’t hide it. They talk about condoms usage.
Some religions frown on condoms (such as the Catholic church… a Church that will one day pay for the damage they are doing!), but the fact is the condoms work in reducing pregnancy rates and the transmission of STD’s. Abstinence is always the best, but let’s face it, that approach is only effective where men and women don’t have sex! Sex will happen regardless of what our political leaders and religious leaders legislate. We must thank science for opening the eyes of the western world. Now science will, too, open the eyes of all people regardless of their history and religious backgrounds.
Well done to the students.
To complete Yanga’s comments, what we have in the Western school system is an excellent nurse who comes to every class or group level meeting and presents different issues related to health (including sex) in a fun and informative way and in a way that is developmentally appropriate. In addition, kids have regular health classes starting 6th grade. They follow a health textbook and various health related activities including educational movies. It’s fun, some get embarassed in 6th grade but after that, especially kids in high school act maturely, they are informed and very much at ease to discuss health related issues. One of the topics in the health book deals with peer pressure and teaches kids how to recognize signs of peer pressure and how to say ‘no’. It’s invaluable! IT also makes our life as parents easier. Kids would rather hear such things in a formal environment and in scientific jargon than at home.
Anyway, I think you guys should start a summer or evening health school for adults (parents) in the first place and start right away with a serious health program in schools. If you have boys and girls separate, it shouldn’t be that shocking…
I think that education really is, as Yanga said, Power!! Sex education IS, infact, too important to be ignored, especially these days, where everything is getting easier to get, and I KNOW that pre-marital sex is widely spread!
I thank you Esra’a for bringing up the subject. Sex education is important since it is a part of human nature, conservative societies should take this matter seriously and you have started my dear in this semi-society we have here in MEY.. It is a step!
whay are you say that0.5000000 have ads that is not what i know and all the people in this group is not arabs cos arbs are not black sam jordan
Arabs don’t come in “colors,” for your information, Sam.
Yes and I’m sure you know a lot!
I found this excellent opportunity for those whose education is being so fiercely debated to speak for themselves. ISIS-Inc and RH Reality Check have launched a contest called Fresh Focus Sex Ed Video Contest. I thought your readers might be interested. Film makers must be 15-30 years old and make an original video about sex education that follows one of two themes: 1. Share your sex ed experience so far. Show us how and why it sucked or rocked. OR 2. Redesign how sex ed could be delivered. Imagine that anything is possible. You can find out more at dogooder.tv/freshfocusvideocontest.” The results could be really enlightening.
Sorry broken link:(
dogooder.tv/freshfocusvideocontest.”
sexy Arabic girl from the Syria utterly hates american people. Jonny convinces this stupid terrorist hooker to penetrate Eddy even however she doesn’t understand he’s an american guy
One of the topics in the health book deals with peer pressure and teaches kids how to recognize signs of peer pressure and how to say ‘no’. It’s invaluable! IT also makes our life as parents easier. Kids would rather hear such things in a formal environment and in scientific jargon than at home