Hush Hush: Educational Taboo

An acquaintance of mine got married recently, one would assume that everything would be perfect. Yet a problem occurred on the night of the marriage. When the marriage got consummated a cultural/social/mental problem happened… the bride did not bleed. The groom shocked from this incident, thought he was ‘cheated’ – I dislike this mentality. She felt humiliated, she felt he is doubting her. The next morning he took her to see a physician to check if she was a virgin on the wedding night. Let’s say she wasn’t a virgin; he would have maybe shot her to ‘cleanse his honor’; another thing I disagree with.

A few days ago, a friend asked me while we were discussing sexual educations and behaviors across cultures if Arab girls use a tampon. I said I have no idea, but I doubt they would because if it’s used in a wrong way it may cause a break in the hymen thus a huge social/cultural problem for many. It is sad that a female is judged by the status of  ‘what’s between her legs’. Though the presence of it or not does not affect the life of a female; she is still the same person, with the same intellectual capabilities and physical attributes.

There is a lack of sex education in the Arab world. Any initiative to introduce this topic into society is attacked as a ‘foreign agenda’ to influence the youth and detour them from ‘the righteous path’. That odd biology class or that chapter about reproductive system DOES NOT constitute a proper sex education.

Sex education is an umbrella term that consists of many educational and health components like sexual anatomy, sexual intercourse,  sexually transmitted diseases, emotional relations, abstinence, contraception, sexual rights and responsibilities among other things.  Sex education is not about which position is best, or how to achieve the best orgasm of your life… Sex education is about becoming a healthy, responsible and educated young man/woman.

I found a survey on AlBawaba called ‘Middle East Sex Survey‘  642 responded to the online English survey; I can assume that they are middle class, above average in education and who have access to the internet. 27% of them said they never got a formal sex education, while 11% got some sex education at the age of 14, which was the highest percentage between the age groups.

36% of the sample said that parents or guardians are responsible for teaching sex education, while 42% said that school is the best place for this sort of discussion. Thus family and school should both work together to help promote this education. 50% of the sample said that the government should invest in sex education to help enlighten and educate the youth about AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

It is sad to know that the Middle East and North Africa where AIDS and other STD are increasing over the years, are one of the few regions in the world that lack a sex educational programs,  yet in the rich past of our literature lays a tapestry of sources that described sex and it’s education in a brilliant respectful way. One can only hope that soon something about the lack of this education would be addressed.

What do you all think?