FINDING ANSWERS
Former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno was guest in last week’s Kapihan sa Manila Hotel and she gave a lot of insights on the dangers of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) which is now being implemented by the Department of Education.
In a nutshell, she stressed: CSE will do more harm than good and is not the answer to the issue of teenage pregnancies the rate of which is already declining significantly; there are already proven alternatives including local success stories that help deter teen pregnancies; and that Education Secretary Sonny Angara ought to immediately suspend CSE.
She argued that CSE—currently in use by virtue of DepEd Order No. 31 issued in 2018 by then Secretary Leonor Briones, and provided in Senate Bill (SB) 1979, the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill authored by Senator Risa Hontiveros—promotes values inconsistent with Filipino culture and would undermine parental authority.
She warned that the rights-based framework of CSE would foster a "culture of rebellion" among very young Filipinos as it would encourage them to think more critically. It would also expose students to concepts such as "masturbation, gender fluidity, and sexuality rights."
No less than President Marcos Jr. himself earlier expressed dismay over CSE as proposed in SB 1979 before it was revised by Sen. Hontiveros.
“You will teach four-year-olds how to masturbate, that every child has the right to try different sexualities. This is ridiculous, this is abhorrent. This is a travesty of what sex education should be to the children," Mr. Marcos said about SB 1979. “I was shocked and I was appalled by some of the elements… all this woke that they are trying to bring into our system.”
While a review of all 25 pages of the original Senate measure doesn’t mention masturbation, the bill stated that CSE “shall be integrated in the school curriculum, guided by DEPED and international standards.”
The controversy apparently was in the words “international standards” because such international standards include the “Standards for Sexuality Education in Europe,” a document of the World Health Organization (WHO) that provides “a framework for policy makers, educational and health authorities and specialists.”
On page 38 of the said WHO document, it is stated that children in the 0-4 age group will be given information about sexuality, particularly on “enjoyment and pleasure when touching one’s own body, early childhood masturbation.”
And on page 39, about “sexuality and rights,” it is stated that children in the same age group of 0-4 shall be given “information about the right to explore gender identities.”
CJ Sereno said there were studies like that of the Institute for Research and Evaluation which showed CSE to be "87 percent ineffective" in the long term. She asserted that abstinence-based programs yield better results.
Highlighting alternative models, she praised Singapore's character formation programs, and a community initiative in Mandaue, Cebu, which achieved zero teenage pregnancy rates through values-based education.
She also underscored the role of faith development, noting that "73 percent of Filipino households consider Christianity essential, and 81 percent are influenced by the Bible.” She criticized the lack of consultation with religious groups in drafting SB 1979, calling it a form of "cultural imperialism," a term used by Pope Francis. She stressed that parents should have the "primary right to guide their children's education regarding sexuality" and that any curriculum should be transparent and subject to parental consent.
The furor over CSE originates from its emphasis on sexuality rights, which could be interpreted as encouraging early sexual activity, and includes discussions on contraception, abortion, and non-traditional relationships. These concepts contradict traditional Christian morality regarding marriage, procreation, and family life. Parents should have the ultimate authority in guiding their children's understanding of sexuality, citing potential conflicts with their personal values and beliefs.
Traditional Filipino values emphasize modesty and chastity, particularly for young women. Many Filipinos like me believe that discussing sexuality openly, especially among the very young, runs counter to our cultural ideals. Abstinence until marriage remains the ideal, and introducing explicit discussions on sexuality education would erode our traditional values.
The Filipino family structure is deeply rooted in close-knit relationships, where elders and parents play a central role in shaping children's behavior and decisions. The idea of state-mandated sexuality education can be quite intrusive, taking away the responsibility of parents in educating their children on moral and very personal matters.
In lieu of “international standards” not aligned with Filipino values, we can promote the many local success stories pointing to the reality that if we truly nurture and enhance our faith, it can serve as the best deterrent against teen pregnancy.
(finding.lina@yahoo.com)