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Chapter 6 ATTITUDES TOWARDS PROVISION OF SEX EDUCATION TO CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
6.1. Attitudes of young people and adults over 24 years old Survey data Results of this survey clearly demonstrate that the great majority of people living in 30 target communities in city of Yerevan and Ararat region, including young people (92%) and adults above 24(91%) are in favor of provision of sex education to children and adolescents (Figure 6.1). Figure 6.1. Attitudes towards provision of sex education to children and adolescents (Survey data, n=1800)
Question: “Do you think that there is a need for sex education? of children and adolescents?
The common opinion, expressed by 607(67%) young people and 664(74%) adults over 24 years old is that both parents and teachers are responsible for sex education of children and adolescents. About 70% of all respondents have an opinion that mothers have to take care of sex education of their daughters, and fathers - of their sons (Table 6.1). Most of the respondents (88%), regardless their age have a positive attitude towards introduction of sex education into the curriculum of public school (Figure 6.2). By opinion of 75% of young people and 76% of adults over 24 years of age this will not have negative influence on sexual behavior of adolescents.
Table 6.1. Opinion of survey respondents on who is responsible for provision of sex education to children and adolescents (Survey data, n=1800)
* Note: More than one reply is possible
Figure 6.2. Attitudes towards introduction of sex education into public school curriculum (Survey data, n=1800)
Question: “Do you think that there is a need to include sex education into the public school curriculum? Table 6.2 represents different approaches of survey respondents on who has to teach the subject of sex education at the public schools. The general opinion (95%) was that teachers of Biology or of any other subject, who have appropriate knowledge and communication skills in Youth sexuality and SRH and are eligible for teaching this subject at school. The majority of participants (87%) prefer introduction of sex education as a separate subject in the school curriculum. Table 6.2. Approaches of survey respondents towards different models of sex education at the public schools (Survey data, n=1800)
The replies to the question on whether boys and girls have to participate in these lessons together were controversial (Table 6.2). More than one half (51%) of young respondents preferred joined sex education for both genders, while 50% of adults over 24 years old preferred separated education. There was also another opinion, expressed by 24 (3%) young people and 59 (7%) adults that boys and girls have to participate at these lessons together, with an exception of some lessons that should be provided separately. Opinions on most appropriate age at starting sex education classes in schools varied widely, starting from 6 up to 16 years old. Young people recommended providing sex education in schools starting from the average age of 14 years (Median =14). In fact, most of the adults over 24 years old recommended starting sex education from the average age of 13 years (Median =13). Table 6.3. Opinions on topics to be introduced to 13-14 years adolescents during the course of sex education. (Survey data, n=1800)
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