Times of Suriname Logo
Times of Suriname Logo

Engels

“Sex education most likely starts too late”

PARAMARIBO - According to youth counselors sex education for youths deserves more attention and should start at a very early age.

Times of Suriname

Anoushka Plet and Dwight Samuel explained that children must be given information about their body, sex, personal boundaries and the consequences of unsafe sex. When this information is given too late, youths risk making the wrong choices without fully understanding the possible consequences. The youth counselors made it clear that sex education should not be given when parents discover that their child is sexually active or when problems arise. Nowadays children often come across information regarding sex via social media, the internet and their peers but not all of that information is reliable. “That is why they need guidance from their parents, schools and experts.” Plet and Samuel emphasized that some parents are too ashamed to talk about sex with their child. Meanwhile the many questions of children regarding sex remain unanswered so they start looking for the answers themselves. “This situation must change.” The youth counselors explained that the nation's youths must be given information to learn how their body works, what the healthy borders are and how they can protect themselves. “An important part of sex education is teaching children that they can say no when something does not feel right. They must come to realize that nobody has the right to touch them against their will. Children must know where they can go when they have questions or when they are confronted with a problematic situation”, said the youth counselors who added that the youths must be given information about sexually transmitted diseases, HIV and teen pregnancy.