Rational family planning needed
S. Bill Jimenez
17 Feb 2010
Re: Viewpoints
Sex Education and Family Planning
Population explosion or rapid population growth is a worldwide problem. With its serious consequences like poverty, disease, food shortage and criminality, there is a need, more than ever, for rational population policy, which includes effective sex education and family planning programs in the country.
As of last census (2007), there were 88.5 million Filipinos. This shows an annual growth rate of 2.04 percent from 2000 to 2007. Food consumption has increased that we now import rice. Population growth has outpaced food production. This reminds us to update our population policy, which includes effective family planning, responsible parenthood and massive food production.
In 1975-76, I was given the privilege and opportunity to work with the Department of Education and Ford Foundation as a researcher on population matters. After undergoing rigorous training with other researchers throughout the country, we were given our local assignments to gather data. I interviewed parents, teachers, students and local officials. With permission, I used the data I gathered to complete my master’s thesis in graduate school.
Among the findings of my research is the need for better sex education and rational family planning. Some 97.5 percent of my respondents prefer small family size composed to 2-3 children. Overwhelming majority (97%) favor learning about human reproduction and that guidance and counseling from teachers, parents and religious leaders is desired.
My respondents would like sex education and family planning to start early at age 10.5. This coincides with what the Bible teaches: “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6). The apostle Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians writes: “Flee from sexual immorality” (6:18). “But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband….for it is better to marry than to burn with passion” (7:2, 9).
Therefore, there is an urgent need for our government, school and church leaders to review our population policies and programs to make them moral, ethical, rational and effective. They should never be vulgar, lewd and gross!
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