Blog of Personal Response to Current Affairs
Article title: Let’s (not) talk about condoms
Category: Societal issues
Entry No. 5
http://www.yawningbread.org/apdx_2005/imp-231.htmLet’s (not) talk about condoms. I would have to say this title definitely caught my eye, as promoting the education of condoms to teens, had been after all, part of my group’s Social Advocacy project. Our project proposal landed us with an MOE officer, who gave us much invaluable knowledge. Knowledge, I hope, that would help me overcome most of my inadequate understandings of this topic.
This article is about the increasing numbers of teenage pregnancies and abortions, and whether the sex education programmes should incorporate teaching of the use of contraception. Before my talk with the MOE officer, my view had largely been that contraception should be taught to teens. However, after discussion with her, I feel that I am now able to empathize with both the pro-abstinence and pro-protection camps.
The pro-abstinence group’s concerns are understandable. After all, if I imagined myself as a father, I would at all costs want to prevent my child from having sex until marriage. Singapore is also a conservative society, and many religious groups such as Catholics, oppose the use of the condom.
'Say you tell a teenager, 'You should try to abstain, but if you can't control yourself, use a condom'. That's like saying 'Don't cheat, don't steal, but if you can't help yourself, don't get caught'.' said a senior executive at the Family Life Society.
Although I identify myself with his concerns, I believe that it is possible to teach a teenager about contraception at the same time make it clear your hopes of him abstaining. The information would be after all, something he would need at some point in his life, not necessarily before marriage.
Recently, Singapore has considered reviewing our oral sex laws, a step many see as a sign that Singapore is finally moving away from conservatism. Besides that, we are also possibly legislating gay sex. Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, a few months ago questioned the ban on gay sex, saying the government should not act as moral police. However, many people condemned such reviews, deeming such sexual acts as immoral.
Part of my group’s Social Advocacy proposal was to come up with posters encouraging contraception. There is a flaw in such a suggestion, as the MOE officer pointed out. This issue of contraception being brought up is a clear sign that Singapore is becoming less conservative and willing to accept new views. However, if Singapore pushes for the education of contraception, we need to bear in mind that there is still a significant number of conservative people in Singapore. We need to be sensitive to their beliefs and tact when we educate about contraception. It is the same, as when Singapore is now considering decriminalizing oral sex. Or as we push to legalized gay marriages. Sensitive issues as such should be changed slowly, to prevent public unrest. We have to accept the fact that we are, changing as a society, but at the same time, be aware that conservatism still exist among us.
500 words