China's 'New' Sex Education Booklet Earns Praise
Source: mothership.sg, shanghaiist, Weibo
How should schools explain the birds and the bees to kids? That was one of the topics buzzing online in China last week.
A post on microblogging website Weibo last Tuesday (Feb. 28), by a Chinese mother from Hangzhou complaining about the blunt language and graphic illustrations in a Chinese primary school enrichment book on sex education her child brought home, has sparked a lively debate on Chinese social media.
“Do primary two students start to learn this now? Is it really okay to edit the book like that? I can’t bear to read the last sentence. Can we be sure that this is not a counterfeit book? ”
Named “Cherish life – A Reader on Child Sex Education” (珍爱生命-儿童性健康教育读本), the book in question is actually part of a set of books published by The Beijing Normal University for primary school students.
The liberal tone of the book is reflected in its open approach in showing pictures of male and female reproductive organs, and also two people having sex.
Knowledge of reproductive organs taught at primary one. (Source: )
Knowledge of sexual intercourse taught at primary two.
Left: Dad and mum getting intimate; Right: Dad’s penis entering mum’s vagina. (Source: )
Dad’s sperm entering mum’s womb. (Source: )
Besides human reproduction, the book also teaches children about sexual abuse, homosexuality and gender equality.
Homosexuality
The concept of homosexuality is introduced at the primary five level, teaching children that homosexuality is a natural thing.
The illustration shows two students asking their teacher about their two female neighbors who live together as a couple.
The teacher says: “The majority of people are attracted to the opposite sex, but there are also some people who feel attracted to the same sex. This is a completely normal phenomenon. We can’t discriminate against them.”
They're also taught that people of different sexual orientations can all lead intimate and deeply fulfilling romantic lives. Students are made aware that in some countries, same-sex marriage is legal, although in China, same-sex marriages are not "currently" allowed to be registered.
Not only do people of different sexual orientations choose to get married, they have the right to become parents, students learn:
Gender Equality
In the booklet, children are taught from an early age about gender equality and to think beyond occupational stereotypes.
For example, females can also become pilots or be in the police force, while males can become outstanding kindergarten teachers and nurses.
In the lesson on marriage, students are taught that some people choose to be single and others choose to be married. Whatever you choose in life, that's your right and you deserve to be respected for it:
Some Weibo users have agreed with the mother's assessment, believing that the information and images in the books could damage their young children psychologically. "The picture showing the man and woman having sex is absolutely unacceptable!" wrote one netizen.
However, others have applauded the new sex education teaching materials, calling the change long overdue. "Giving our children more knowledge about sex will help them better protect themselves in the future," one Weibo user argued. "Finally, sex education in China has caught up with the rest of the world!" exclaimed another.
Like most conservative societies in Asia, sex has traditionally been a taboo subject in China. Schools and parents often find it awkward to talk to young people about it, despite more and more of them becoming sexually active before marriage.
Chinanews quoted The Beijing Normal University Publishing Group, who said in response to media queries that the materials involved underwent “strict scrutiny”.
That’s certainly a progressive attitude. That’s not bad at all.