Misconception of Sexuality:
Sexual Education Encourages Promiscuity
One of the prevalent misconception about sexuality is the belief that sexual education
encourages promiscuity. This stems from the fear that providing young people with information
about sex will make them more likely to engage in sexual activity at an earlier age or more
frequently. It suggests that learning about sexual health will lead to an increase in sexual
behavior and promiscuity among young people. However, this belief is not supported by
evidence.
Research consistently shows that comprehensive sex education does not encourage early
sexual activity but instead delays it, promotes responsible sexual behavior, and reduces the rates
of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For instance, Leung (2019)
stated that countries like the Netherlands, which mandate sex education starting at an early age,
have some of the lowest rates of teenage pregnancy and STIs. Similarly, the American
Psychological Association has reported that abstinence only education leaves students without
the necessary knowledge to make informed sexual decisions, which increases the likelihood of
negative sexual health outcomes.
In the Philippines, this misconception continues to shape discussions about the
implementation of comprehensive sex education. Despite the passing of the Responsible
Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act (RH Law) in 2012, which mandates sex education in
schools. Its full implementation has faced resistance from conservative groups, including
religious institutions. Opponents argue that teaching young people about contraception, safe sex
practices, and reproductive health will encourage early sexual activity and undermine traditional
values of chastity and abstinence.
As a result, the implementation of the RH Law has been slow and inconsistent across the
country. Many Filipino students still do not have access to comprehensive sex education,
contributing to high rates of teenage pregnancies and STIs. The Philippines continues to have
one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Southeast Asia, and experts believe that
comprehensive sex education could help address this issue by providing young people with the
information they need to make safer and more informed decisions.
The fear that sexual education encourages promiscuity is not only unfounded but also
harmful. It prevents young people from gaining access to essential knowledge that could protect
their sexual health. Comprehensive sex education empowers students to make informed and
responsible choices, which ultimately leads to better health outcomes and fewer negative
consequences, such as teenage pregnancies and STIs. Embracing evidence based education is
crucial for improving sexual health of every person in our society.
Bibliography
Douglas Kirby, B.A. Laris, and Lori Rolleri (2006). Impact of sex and HIV education
programs on sexual behaviors of youth in developing and developed countries.
ResearchGate.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237371707_Impact_of_Sex_and_HIV_Educati
on_Programs_on_Sexual_Behaviors_of_Youth_in_Developing_and_Developed_Countri
es
Leung, H., Shek, D. T. L., Leung, E., & Shek, E. Y. W. (2019). Development of
Contextually-relevant Sexuality Education: Lessons from a Comprehensive Review of
Adolescent Sexuality Education Across Cultures. International journal of environmental
research and public health, 16(4), 621. Retrieve from:
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16040621
Pasion, G. (2023, February 28). 10 years, 10 lessons: Implementing the reproductive
health law in the Philippines. https://knowledgesuccess.org/2023/02/28/10-years-10-
lessons-implementing-the-reproductive-health-law-in-the-philippines/
Scott-Sheldon, L. A. J., & Johnson, B. T. (2013). The sexual health of adolescents: When,
where, and why adolescents use contraceptives. In D. S. Bromberg & W. T. O'Donohue
(Eds.), Handbook of child and adolescent sexuality: Developmental and forensic
psychology (pp. 221–251). Elsevier Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-
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