By Chung Ah-young
Guidelines for sex education in schools have been condemned for controversial content that distorts the sexual perceptions of young students.
The Ministry of Education has distributed sex-ed material in kindergartens, elementary, middle and high schools since March, costing 600 million won. This is the first government-level sex education material for nationwide use.
Civic groups are calling for authorities to withdraw the materials because young students could be misled by the content.
For example, one section said differences in the amounts of money spent between men and women while dating can be a cause of violence. "Men are in control of money while women are wanted for their bodies in our society. So men who spend money on women when dating expect some rewards. In that process, sexual violence can occur," reads one section of the guidelines.
The ministry later erased that passage.
Choi Ran, head of the Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center, said the guidelines carry misleading information. For example, the material for elementary schoolchildren says that "a man's sexual desires can be expressed regardless of time and place." Choi said such a comment could be used to defend sex offenders.
Also, concerning sexual violence, the guideline says that it is important for women to express their refusal clearly. "If victims don't express refusal clearly enough, sexual violence can occur," it says.
Choi pointed out that this could make students believe victims are responsible for sexual violence too.
Also, words for "yadong" (porn) and masturbation are paraphrased as circumlocutions. "Such words are frequently used among young students. Education is falling behind reality," Choi said.
"The sex-ed material underestimates students' knowledge about sex. Even though teachers don't use such words, it doesn't mean students don't know them," she said.
Choi said that it is important to educate them about sex, not hide the facts.
"In the guidelines, women are described as an entity simply for bearing a child, while family diversity and different sexual orientations are discouraged," Bang I-seul, an activist of the Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center, said.
Civic groups say the guidelines are biased, instigating hatred toward sexual minorities, which is "outdated, anachronistic and unprofessional."
Park Hyun-i, activist of Aha Sexuality Education & Counseling Center for Youth, said the ministry didn't consult with sex education experts when making the materials and only reflected the opinions of conservative groups.
After civic groups voiced their displeasure, the ministry has changed some content. "We have provided revised materials to schools and will change parts on men's sexual desires after consulting with experts," the ministry said.
However, sex education experts say a partial revision doesn't fix the problem because the material focuses on abstinence and restraint rather than how to make proper decisions about sex and relationships.
Guidelines for sex education in schools have been condemned for controversial content that distorts the sexual perceptions of young students.
The Ministry of Education has distributed sex-ed material in kindergartens, elementary, middle and high schools since March, costing 600 million won. This is the first government-level sex education material for nationwide use.
Civic groups are calling for authorities to withdraw the materials because young students could be misled by the content.
For example, one section said differences in the amounts of money spent between men and women while dating can be a cause of violence. "Men are in control of money while women are wanted for their bodies in our society. So men who spend money on women when dating expect some rewards. In that process, sexual violence can occur," reads one section of the guidelines.
The ministry later erased that passage.
Choi Ran, head of the Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center, said the guidelines carry misleading information. For example, the material for elementary schoolchildren says that "a man's sexual desires can be expressed regardless of time and place." Choi said such a comment could be used to defend sex offenders.
Also, concerning sexual violence, the guideline says that it is important for women to express their refusal clearly. "If victims don't express refusal clearly enough, sexual violence can occur," it says.
Choi pointed out that this could make students believe victims are responsible for sexual violence too.
Also, words for "yadong" (porn) and masturbation are paraphrased as circumlocutions. "Such words are frequently used among young students. Education is falling behind reality," Choi said.
"The sex-ed material underestimates students' knowledge about sex. Even though teachers don't use such words, it doesn't mean students don't know them," she said.
Choi said that it is important to educate them about sex, not hide the facts.
"In the guidelines, women are described as an entity simply for bearing a child, while family diversity and different sexual orientations are discouraged," Bang I-seul, an activist of the Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center, said.
Civic groups say the guidelines are biased, instigating hatred toward sexual minorities, which is "outdated, anachronistic and unprofessional."
Park Hyun-i, activist of Aha Sexuality Education & Counseling Center for Youth, said the ministry didn't consult with sex education experts when making the materials and only reflected the opinions of conservative groups.
After civic groups voiced their displeasure, the ministry has changed some content. "We have provided revised materials to schools and will change parts on men's sexual desires after consulting with experts," the ministry said.
However, sex education experts say a partial revision doesn't fix the problem because the material focuses on abstinence and restraint rather than how to make proper decisions about sex and relationships.
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