Sex Education in Bangladesh

Course Code and Name: MSJ 11102 Communication Research

Introduction

In developed countries sex education is taught in most Elementary, Middle, and High School to inform the students about different contraceptives for sexual activity among young adults. Many people may feel that it is not right to teach the children about different contraceptives for sexual activity among young adults. Many parents may not feel that is acceptable to teach their children and prefer them to be taught Abstinence.

Common avenues for sex education are parents or caregivers, school programs, and public health campaigns. Since about sixth grade, which is either in elementary, or middle school, these programs have used the programs of sex education for most health educators start to teach young children about their body parts and the differences of puberty among each of the children. This continues on through High School; most educators do not think it is enough. Many parents may also agree but may be concerned about what they want their child to know about sex since sex education is a sensitive topic, and most teenagers get the wrong information through a friend, the internet, or the television. To understand the standards and differing views concerning sex education better, the following for questions will be answered:

1. What would parents prefer if sex education is taught in classes/programs?

2. Which of the following does a teenager know about already, abstinence or contraceptives?

3. If schools do provide sex education, what would be better for the student to know?

Background

We live in a society where violence and sexual harassment are a common place for women and girls in public places. Any child growing up in Bangladesh is made aware of sexual harassment and the male gaze way before they know what it is all about. 94% percent of women are getting sexually harassed in public transport. (Dhaka tribune, 2017) About 818 women were raped across the country. (The daily star, 2017)

Bangladesh is a conservative country based on complex culture, and with very limited knowledge regarding proper sex education provided by families and the media, many people fail to express their experiences. Many women in our country have accepted harassment as a part of their life instead of speaking out against it. Many Bangladeshi women in the current status quo feel responsible for the sexual harassment they endure- some of which start when they are way too young to even understand what is happening to them. This very mindset comes from the absence of an open discussion about sex early in their life and the veil of secrecy around sex. (Imran, 2018)

Literature review

This research can be generalized since there have been many published research papers, articles, and journals that will help to gather information and collect necessary data that will help to signify the reason for this research study.

This literature review will inform the reader about the ways, schools and adults can better become informed to teach Sex Education. This Literature Review provides the views of parents, teachers, and most of all the community which they are concerned about how they feel Sex Education should be taught and the well-being of the teenagers.

In 1986, Deborah Anne Dawson claimed that the age when people receive knowledge on sex education has been declining with time.

She also claims that people of many age groups have been receiving much information at later ages in life all at which Dawson feels should be at an earlier age.

“Comprehensive sex Education is effective and does not promote sexual risks” as said according to the website Youth for Advocates (2012). The website states that research has identified highly effective sex education and HIV prevention programs that affect multiple behaviors and/or achieve positive health impacts.

Sex Education is an important part of a teenager’s life. Proper information provided should be given at all school levels especially at high school. In fact, comprehensive programs are most effective at changing teen sexual behaviors. (Time, 2012)

Sex education is one of the most important classes that need to be taught in high school. There should be certain programs to help teenagers educate and understand what it is about. In the current status quo, Bangladesh does not have any initiative yet to give proper knowledge on sex education in Academic sectors. This does not look very good for the country in the long run as there are many regular cases of public sexual assaults and harassments taking place, and one of the most probable cause of this matter could be that both the victims and their assaulter has never gotten any kind of sex education. This research on Sex Education in Bangladesh can help establish a new structure of improved education to mature our nation.

Research Questions

1. How much awareness does a student between the ages of 14-19 have regarding sex education?

2. How do they opinionate their view regarding sexual education? If sex education should be provided or not.

Research Methodology

In order to conduct this research we have chosen to go with quantitative research in the form of questionnaire survey method and qualitative research through interview. The reason we have chosen only the schools of Dhaka as it is the capital city of Bangladesh as well as the literacy rate in Dhaka is higher than other cities.

Initially a series of interviews of the students are to take place. The aim is to get an understanding on the views of the participants and an insight on their maturity regarding sex education. The questions asked in the interviews will not be limited to any specified numbers.

After obtaining all interviews a questionnaire survey will be conducted in the participating schools. The survey will help determine the literacy on the topic of sex education among the students in the current status quo.

A team of 10 people are needed to conduct this research, they will visit ten well reputed schools in Dhaka and they are:

1. Government Laboratory High School

2. Viquarunnesa Noon School and College

3. Mastermind English Medium School

4. Maple Leaf International School

5. St. Joseph Boys School and College

6. Bangladesh Public Rifles School

7. BAF Shaheen School and College

8. Sunnydale English Medium School

9. International School Dhaka (ISD)

10. Scholastica School

Our plan is to finish our research and submit it by mid- December.