I was reading an article in Slate regarding the declining rate of abortion in the US. There were a number of factors involved of course, including voluntary prevention through birth control schemes nevertheless, the debate continues (on legalising abortion). Interestingly however, it was reported that more and more Americans are now campaigning not against abortion, but against 'teen sex'.
Now, for a Muslim country, therein lies the dilemma. Sex education, to give or not to give? By giving sex education at schools, we're seen as conforming to the act (of pre-marital sex) which is forbidden in Islam. By not giving it, we are faced with social illnesses: abortion, sexual transmited diseases, (unwed) teenage pregnancies and worse of all, abandoning or killing innocent babies.
Whether we like it or not, we can't just turn blind eyes to the increasing trend of 'teen sex' in Brunei. No data, however is available to support this but from my conversations with a couple of doctors in Brunei confirms that the trend is worsening. I once asked one of my doctor friends, why is there no collaboration between the Health Ministry and the Ministry of the Religious Affairs (MRA). At that time, I thought by informing the MRA, at least the problems associated with 'single (teenage) parents' could be prevented and let the teens be responsible with their acts. And she replied that if they were to inform the MRA everytime an unwedded teen got pregnant or delivered a baby, then the worst might happened. How so? The pregnant teens (who were already scared) now would not have any place to go. What is feared that more and more illegal abortion would take place which would be harmful to the pregnant teens and worse, more and more innocent babies would be left abandoned. Even as it is, according to her, these pregnant girls only went to seek medical help at a later stage of their pregnancies which were often not without complications.
Even if the teens seek an early help, it may also not help solve the problems. Once they are found pregnant, obviously the morally right thing to do is to marry them off. But their future could also end there. They have to quit school. Without proper education and qualification, how do we expect them to lead a high quality life? How do we even expect them to provide for their children?
Now, back to sex education. I guess, to preach through the morals of religion alone is no longer sufficient. What is needed I think is a good and open communication between the teenagers and the educator (including you and me). The more these young people have their questions answered regarding contraception, relationships, sexual health and the responsibility of being a parent, I think will help them to make the decision in delaying any sexual relationship and hopefully to get to do the right thing of 'sex after marriage'.
No matter how and what approach we want to use, please let there be one. Pregnancies among the teens not only affect their lives but also affect the nation as a whole, especially for a country where human resource is valuable. If you read my previous post, unwanted teenage pregnancies could lead to a vicious circle which could lead to poverty and thus affecting the healthy development of the nation. It is a tough challenge of course, but somebody HAS to do it.
Salaam.
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2 comments:
Dear Rogue Economist,
first of all, i have to say i love reading your blog. =)
i agree with your points in this post. i once raised the issue about sex ed in my blog ages ago and i was surprised that many still thinks that its immoral to have it and that it reflects western liberal values. but really, how can they say that when Brunei itself is evolving into one? dont get me wrong though. i'm not happy that it is changing. being brought up in a religious family and environment, i'm sad to see that Brunei is gradually losing (in some ways) its strong religious status.
but back to my main point, we cant simply ignore the fact that Brunei (socially) is changing and to some extent 'westernized'. well we can blame globalization for that. but that's the thing. we cant simply ignore the fact that it is changing. so what? all the officials can do is sit back and pray? well as much as Islam is concerned, that's not enough. the religion taught us that we need "usaha" and doa. so why not actually do something about it?
okay so they've tried preaching religiously about it. but its obvious that it doesnt work. so why not try something else? i cant say that sex ed would be beneficial and that it would work but it made us aware doesnt it? like you said, it makes us educated and aware of the situation so why not.
haha. i cant believe i'm getting all heated up about this here! haha. hope you dont mind. =)
Dear RG,
I am in favourable of your article on teen pregnancy which in our society takes this as a taboo matter. Like what VS (above) mentioned that our society thinks this is an “immoral” topic.
I myself had an experience where I had to go through this terrible fate, per say. Society could not pin point who is to be blame but those who created the unruly matter in the first place. Who is to be blame? Could we blame the parents for not educating the children? Could we blame society? Could we blame the education that we are receiving are not from the right channel? I have seen a girl as young as 12 “sold off” in exchange for drugs by her own father and she becomes pregnant, by unknown men just for illicit drug trading. Funny how you may hear this somewhere in IndoChina, but its happening right here in the country.
As you have mentioned, teens have no where to go to seek guidance from the proper channel. I do not know what the statistical figures are but what is 2% of the population are in dying need of proper direction? Where do they go; and to who? They are left sitting in the dark with no one to reach out for. I can only imagine to what they are experiencing. And from there, they would end up with the wrong crowd, do immoral acts like drinking or doing drugs…and the whole cycle keeps on repeating, unless there is someone to help them.
Nevertheless, I do believe that one particular school in the country has been introducing “Sex education” into their curriculum where they teach the importance of prevention and educating from a very early stage. Kudos!
Regards,
Anonymousfoe
PS- Please do not quote me as I am only speaking relatively on what’s going on through my mind at this very time, and as usual, without proper substance :D
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