Experts Express How To Start Teaching Sex Education To Children

JAKARTA - Sexual education in children is still often considered taboo by some people. Many parents feel doubtful or uncomfortable when they have to explain about the body, boundaries, and function of the reproductive organs to their children.

In fact, according to Lecturers and observers of children from Muhammadiyah University Surabaya (UM Surabaya), Waode Hamsia, sex education is actually important to give from an early age.

As the closest party to children, parents have a central role in establishing a healthy understanding of sexuality.

However, the relationship between parents and children who are less open and have social stigma makes this topic often avoided.

Waode explained that sex education does not only discuss sexual intercourse, but also body recognition, organ function, and self-constraints.

"Parents must have full awareness to provide education, because the knowledge instilled from an early age will make children understand how to recognize their own bodies, understand the function of reproductive organs, to the risk of having sex," he said, quoted from the UM Surabaya page.

He also said that until now there has been no special curriculum governing sex education in schools. Meanwhile, cases of sexual violence continue to increase, and only a few victims dare to report. Because of this, family education is very important.

Taking children about sexuality and consent must be done with a gender-neutral approach. This needs to be given to all children, both men and women," he added.

Waode explained several simple steps that parents can take according to their child's development age:

Sex education is not an effort to encourage children to have sex, but to form a healthy understanding of the body and interpersonal relationships. With open communication and simple language, parents can help their children grow up to be individuals who are able to take care of themselves and respect others.