POPULATION TRENDS, PROBLEMS AND POLICIES

Philippine Population Policies and Programs

Population education and sex education.

There is considerable confusion regarding the relationship between
population education and sex education in the minds of the public. Are
they not one and the same thing? Is population education just a cover
name or euphemism for sex education? Can population education be
taught without sex education?
(1) Different as to objectives. -Population education is definitely not sex
education. The objectives of population education are different from
those of sex education program.
According to Frederick Kilander, "sex education includes all measures
which in any way may help young people prepare to meet the problems
of life that have their centers in the sex instinct and inevitably come in
form into the experience of every normal human being
On the other hand, the trust of population education is to develop
among the children and students understanding and appreciation of all
the issues connected with population growth that would contribute to
rational decision making regarding their future reproductive behavior.
(2) Certain degree of overlap exists. - Undoubtedly. “straight" sex
education or sex education per se is different from population
education. However, there is a certain degree of overlap in that certain
subject matter is shared by the two fields.
Understanding of sexuality and the physiology of human reproduction is
a necessary component of population awareness and this
understanding, along with the development of desirable sexual
behavior, are helpful in the solution of some population problems.
There are obviously great advantages to be gained by giving sex and
human reproduction a place in the population education program. This
is the developing point of view as regard to the concept of population
education in the Philippines.

Problems in sex education.

A universal need exists for positive changes in attitudes towards human
sexuality, not only among the general public but also among those
responsible for sex education and sex counselling.
A meeting convened by the World Health Organization has accorded
first priority to sex education as a means of preventing sexual problems
and maladjustments. Twenty-three experts from 15 countries attended
the meeting.
(1) Obstacles to sex education. - In many countries, the existence of
sexual taboos and myths and the resulting guilt or secrecy imposed by
society on sexual matters are important obstacles of sex education.
(2) Counselling and therapy programs. - The next most important area
of concern is the development of counseling and therapy programs so
as to care for the most common kinds of disorders and to reach the
greatest possible number of people.
(3) Most common sexual problems. - The meeting listed some of the
most common sexual problems as follows:
(a) Problems related to infections: not only sexually transmitted
diseases but other infections such as cystitis, which may cause a variety
of sexual difficulties;
(b) Problems related to the life cycle: they may be associated with the
menstrual cycle or in conjunction with pregnancy, child birth, and
menopause;
(c) Problems related to the changing technology of contraception, for
instance the use of condoms, the pill, or intra-uterine devices; and
(d) Problems related to socio-cultural factors including legal and
economic aspects.
(4) Need for healthy attitudes towards human sexuality. -To develop a
better understanding of the problems of human sexuality, health
workers must develop healthy attitudes to sexuality, marriage, and a
rational approach to one's sexual problems will help the health worker
deal with the problems of others.
The need for a change of attitude - for acceptance of sexuality as a
positive component of health - is recognized as particularly important.
All health workers share the same beliefs, myths, and superstitions that
exist in their culture and they may themselves have unresolved sexual
problems. Their training generally does little to dispel these attitudes
because of the current emphasis on curative rather than preventive
services. It is not surprising that health workers are often reluctant to
become involved in this work to the extent that people with sexual
problems look to health professionals for guidance and advice.
Objectives of the Population Education Program.
Through the integration of population education in the curricula of the
elementary, secondary, and teacher training levels of the formal school
system, it is expected that:
(1) the Philippine family size norm will be reduced;
(2) the decisions made by Filipinos on population matters at both the
personal and social levels will be more responsible; and
(3) the education program provided to students will be more relevant to
their needs.
Stated in general objectives, the program in population education as
conceived by the POPCOM should assist the student:
(1) to acquire knowledge of
(a) the methods (and problems) of measuring and protecting
population situation;
(b) the fertility, mortality, and migration behavior of people over time
and space;
(e) the values, belief, and practices of society which influence fertility,
mortality, and migration behavior;
(d) the effects of rapid population growth (and other population
changes) on economic development. Food production, health,
education, and other government services, the physical environment
and natural resources, political power, and sociological and
psychological aspects of people's lives; and
(e) human and non-human reproductive processes(sexuality);
(2) to develop rational and responsible attitudes and behavior towards
family size and towards other population matters;
(3) to acquire skills in planning and decision-making and to utilize them
in planning and decision-making on population matters now and later in
life; and
(4) to improve his ability to learn by participating in classroom activities
which employ a variety of teaching strategies — with emphasis on the
discovery approach and less emphasis on lecture.