Couples for Christ and RH 5043
October 04, 2008 | 10:08AMThe Couples for Christ (CFC) has posted an questionnaire/advertisement on the controversial RH 5043, with the position that if one answered “NO” to one of the questions, then he or she should lobby against the controversial bill.
It was clear that CFC has a slant against sex education. They probably believe that sex education promotes promiscuity. I have a different belief: sex education and promiscuity are not related in a cause-and-effect way. At least, not in the way CFC thinks. If there is ever a cause-and-effect relationship, it may be the other way—promiscuity may, in reality, require sex education. That we will all become aware of our sexuality and become sexually active is a given. Sex education is as natural and inevitable as toilet training.
Which leads me to the next question: If sex education is a given, then who is the best person to teach our youth? The knee-jerk reaction is that our parents should hold that responsibility. I tend to agree, except that these parents, lacking the necessary tools, may not be knowledgeable of the best teaching methods. They also may not have the time. We may all know basic math, but do we all know how to teach it? Do we know how to explain basic principles like the Law of Transitivity? Or demonstrate a keen understanding of Geometry? Do we know when a child is ready for two-digit multiplication? Or when a child is capable of understanding what two minus seven is?
Those who know me know that I am for sex education and family planning. I am for condoms. I am for responsible sexuality. So those who know me can already guess what I will answer.
But to those who may wish to debate and discuss and argue, here are the questions and my answers….
1. Do you agree that our children be given Sex Education for 7 years starting from grade 5?
Yes I do. What’s wrong with teaching our children on how babies are made? It does not have to be graphic erotica. A straight-forward, unemotional, objective, rational approach could be used. Children that age (if not earlier) are already conscious of their sexual organs. Why not explain what they are used for?
2. Do you agree that the Population Commission develop the modules to form our children’s attitudes, beliefs, and values about sex, sexual identity, sexual behavior, sexual health ad gender roles?
Yes I do. Bear in mind that, according to Section 3, letter n, the Board of Commissioners of POPCOM shall consist of the heads of the following agencies:
1. National Economic DevelopmentAuthority (VEDA)
2. Department of Health (DOH)
3. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
4. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
5. Department of Agriculture (DA)
6. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
7. Department of Education (DepEd)
8. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
9. Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
10. University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI)
11. Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAFI)
12. National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPQ)
13. National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW)
14. National Youth Commission (NYC)
Plus, there shall be three private sector representatives to the Board of Commissioners of POPCOM who shall come from NGOs. There shall be one (1) representative each from women, youth and health sectors who have a proven track record of involvement in the promotion of reproductive health.
My main worry with this is that the group, with its size, could get unwieldy.
3. Do you agree that the Population Commission teach our children the distinction between facts and myths regarding sex and sexuality?
Definitely yes. But this question is a strange one. Is this question focusing on the POPCOM or on whether or not we should teach about facts and myths regarding sex and sexuality?
If it is the former, then is CFC questioning the capability of the POPCOM? Check the composition of POPCOM in my aforementioned answer. It may not be the best composition, but it represents a lot of sectors and should be more knowledgeable than, say, the Church or even a lot of poor parents who have not obtained a decent education.
If it is the latter, then is the CFC basically promoting ignorance?
4. Do you agree that our children be taught Sex Education as a class, notwithstanding the different stages and readiness each child has to receive such sensitive information?
Yes. The issue is not whether or not it should be taught as a group, but rather the quality of the teaching and communication materials. A team of child psychologists should be able to develop the appropriate materials.
5. Do you agree that our children, from 10 to their adolescent years, be taught that it is their right to have a satisfying and “safe” sex life?
Yes. Reading through section 12, I don’t see that the bill is promoting a promiscuous lifestyle. What will be in the list of sex-education concepts include abstinence before marriage, hazards of abortion, responsible parenthood, and responsible sexuality. It appears to me that the bill is promoting choice rather than dogma. If a teen-ager wishes to remain a virgin until marriage, that is his or her choice.
6. Do you agree that our children, from 10 to their adolescent years, learn the use and application of family planning methods?
Yes. Some youths are already having sex as early as age 10.
7. Do you agree that our children’s moral and religious beliefs regarding sensitive issues like abortion be challenged and discussed in the classroom apart from the guidance of parents?
Yes. First of all, I don’t think the parents are left out in this process. Section 12 does specify that “in support of the natural, and primary right of parents in the rearing of the youth, the POPCOM shall provide concerned parents with adequate and relevant scientific materials on the age-appropriate topics and manner of teaching reproductive health education to their children.”
Second, I am of the opinion that beliefs should always be challenged and discussed. Religious beliefs are not exempt from discussion and debate. Take one example, albeit extreme just to emphasize a point, of a religion that advocates terrorism. Wouldn’t you make an effort to dissuade its flock? Or would you argue that we should respect their beliefs and remain silent?
If you disagree with my points, feel free to leave comments. I promise I will not resort to any ad hominem attacks.
its ok but not as early as 7 years old maybe 15 in above thats the right age to know about sex and theres nothing wrong about that the more he or she learn about sex the easy he or she understand it and they well now protect or be prefer about it…..
can I ask the Couples for Christ group what are their plans for the balooning population?..Can they provide/sponsor for the poor kids?..have they given enough jobs for the family? in other words its very easy to comment suggest and recommend but can they do it? d they have funds? can the church provide their profits from their schools to do so?..such hypocrites! they have done nothing..the gov’t has no money…the church has can they give free education to all?..cmon!
I heard that the CFC and the church are against the bill coz they wants us to use our being rational, w/c is using our ability to think before doing things, coz if we just act daw to sex when we feel like having one, then we are just like dogs being irrational, not able to think…
Great discussion here! It seems both sides have their own. Anyway, for me my stand will be on the church still. I know our country has lot of problems already, population explosion, poverty and everything. My question here, will this be the answer? Or probably you’ll say, we can’t say for now or probably you’ll tell us we need to try. Huh! Lot of things have changed on this era of digital world. Our youth has access to anything and they are curious to try out things. But will this be the answer? How many times in history, man fails to use it for good (his knowledge and intellect)? What the church is looking at here is that, this could pose a problem rather than a solution. I know this bill have lot of recommendations and everything, but are we just speaking of virginity in its broadest sense? Or we’re looking unto virginity physically? Anyway, I’ll leave it to you guys anyway.
I am also thinking how I can inform my kids (I’m still single) in the future how to tell such thing though, but I know how I could make them relate anyway.
Well let’s see this one which way it’ll go…
Well, it is up to the families if they want big families. It is only in the end that will matter if they regret having big families of not. Well trash that bill anyway.
its ok to promote the bill.. but i hope, this would not lead many people to turn from their Church Beliefs
i say. CFC is doing this to ensure that we have a brighter future. you see, you can engage in sex after marriage, which is after schooling. it is logical that the CFC only wants us to be logical enough to enjoy our youth,study, and then mature… before we can use our sane right to be married and sanctify the gift that God gave us and not to waste it, and not to waste our future by engaging in insanity over lust.
Give them sex education as early as possible and let them learn to carry condoms all the time. Like the American Express commercial… “never leave home without it”. With the spread of AIDS, it’s better to be sure that the kids are protected, than dead!!! And please, don’t any idiot tell me that condom is againts Gods will.
I think the Church should be reminded that though they are the guardians of society’s morality, people should should be given choices as to how and what methods should they use in planning their family.
FREE WILL is God’s Gift!
Yes to Reproductive Health and if not then LET THE CHURCH PAY TAXES SO WE CAN FEED ALL THE POOR! OVERPOPULATION is the ROOT of ALL our ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.