12TH EDITION OF VOICE OF THE MIMBARR: RELEVANCE OF SEX EDUCATION TO YOUTHS- BY RAZAQ BOLAWAYE

In the name of Allah the Beneficent the Merciful.

Part of the ravaging ills of the society today is the manner in which youths conduct themselves. As antithetical to what is obtainable in traditional society and approved of by Islam, female body is considered nude except her face and palm. The nudity of a male comprises of a cover cloth covering his narvel down to the kneel as such this is approved for Salat in case he has no other covering clothes. 

Today, it is an eye-catching that youths are susceptible to various sexual offences to which they claim victim based on several reasons. Addressing such reasons amounts to savaging the society from multiplying effects of sexual abuse. It is essential, however, that harpening on sex education for youths at the right time and from the right quarters would go a long way in saving the youths of the imminent trauma.

Youths require sex education in order to help restrain them from unsuitable vices. Youths currently want most things possible with little or no effort. The irony of the situation is in the inevitable change in the social circle wherein dignity in labour is supplanted with quick affluence. Gone are the days when children serve parents but today such 'help' is mostly branded child abuse. Child's Rights is often garnered at the detriment of celebrated values.

Yet parentage in contemporary society is faced with so many challenges part of which is sexual offences within and outside family setting. Such offences include incest, rape and abduction. To this end, youths need sexual education to guard against falling prey to perpetrators of such offences.

Meanwhile, sex education will prepare youth:

1. To be aware of the meaning of life and decent living.

2. To be aware of dangers of sexual indiscipline.

3. To help stimulate interaction between both genders.

4. To help reduce the high rate of sexual immorality.

5. To develop responsible sexual attitudes.

6.  To increase the level of understanding and awareness of youths to problems associated with human growth and development.

7. To checkmate the problems associated with coming in contact with Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and unwanted pregnancies accompanied with the premature use of contraceptives leading to abortion.

Almighty Allah (SWT) maintains in Glorious Qur'an 27:32 "Move not closer to zina (adultery  and fornication for it is indeed awful and distasteful way." It is an indication from the Ayah that moving closer to zina include shunning such instructions as decent dressing, separation between both genders in bed, exposing to nudity of others and taking sex education from right quarters.

Till we meet in another episode, stay blessed.

DR. RAZAQ BOLAWAYE UTHMAN

17-03-2023

-Nigeria