Let’s Talk About Sex! Wait, Can We Though?
By: Sarah Mahfood
Tags: Sex Education, Education, Jamaica, Sex

Image from https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sex/tantric-sex

Quote from http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20191110/editors-forum-govt-tiptoes-sex-ed-curriculum-ministry-fears-backlash

Sex education in Jamaica has been heavily policed for decades, with “abstinence is key” being the main, and sometimes the only piece of information given. On Nov. 10, the Jamaica Gleaner posted its most recent update on the matter, stating that the involvement of the churches and other stakeholders is what’s making it difficult to fully implement sufficient sex education in school curriculums. The power of the church is not surprising as 66% of Jamaicans are Christians, and the country has the most churches per square mile in the world. However, why can’t the religion and practical sex education coexist? I started an open conversation on my Instagram stories asking a variety of questions to the 47% Jamaicans of my 3,700 followers; 43% being women, 57% being men. The answers were thought-provoking, something that might encourage people in power to enforce the necessary changes.

“Do you feel as though you received sufficient sex education?” 17 individuals chose yes, while 122 chose no. I found no noticeable correlation between answer and gender.

The most answers came from students who attended these schools: Immaculate Conception High School, Hillel Academy, Campion College, American International School of Kingston (AISK), Mona High, Ardenne High.

The majority of answers from each school was no, with only about two or three users replying with yes.

Each of these schools except AISK and Hillel is heavily rooted in Christianity. Hillel and AISK are both non-denominational and claim to be inclusive of all cultures and religious backgrounds.

To answer this question, the yellow emoji can be pulled to either side to answer 100% yes/no, or somewhere in between. Most answers were all the way yes or all the way no, with only about 17 of the 57 answers ranging somewhere in the middle.

After all, if “abstinence is key” is the only thing you’re taught, how can you not experience a shred of guilt?

I later spoke with two health teachers from Kingston to find out their perspectives on the matter.

Both Lisa McLean and Allan Roper agreed that “abstinence is key” simply isn’t enough, although it is the safest way to avoid unwanted pregnancy and STDs.

“I believe that students need to know as much as possible about the options available so that they can make an informed decision based on their individual circumstances,” writes McLean as we catch up over email — I was her student years ago at AISK. She details her sex education at the Immaculate Conception High School as “more shock and awe rather than putting sexual health in the context of a larger picture of a healthy lifestyle.” Roper reflects on his education in England, saying sex education covered the “need to knows” as he describes it.

“I think it left my peers and I in a position to not be able to have healthy conversations about sex generally. We were too self-conscious and embarassed. Which ultimately leaves you in a position to not advocate yourself as well as you should” McLean answers when I ask about the lasting impacts of not receiving sufficient sex education. This answer is far too similar to some I received on my Instagram story, all from womxn.

I first ask the womxn about comfortability in sexuality.

I received 83 responses, with most ranging within the in-between and very few swiping for a full yes. I then ask my followers to reflect; how has the education/lack thereof impacted your sex life? No replies for the first hour, though the other questions have received responses. As I contemplate deleting it, answers pour in.

Most Jamaican homes and workplaces follow very strict religious views and protocols, so in an attempt to not compromise these individuals, some of their identities will remain anonymous.

Anonymous user A writes that she would’ve been “better equipped” to defend herself in certain situations.

Zara Harding follows with something similar saying she didn’t know how to express discomfort and didn’t know if it was “okay” for her to even do that. A second-year college student now, she says it still affects her to this day.

Below are some of the other responses that were shared.

Tonicia Williams opens up about the struggle in prioritizing her own pleasure.

Anonymous user C describes her discomfort and insecurities.

Another user writes that she was made to believe non-heterosexual relationships were less valid. Which leads me to ask about the LGBTQ+ folx of my following. Jamaica is still quite homophobic, I truthfully didn’t expect more than six answers.

To my surprise, 33 users respond; eight for yes, 25 for no. Most of the eight were individuals who spent some of their high school education in other, more progressive parts of the world.

I am alarmed by the answers but not just because of what they say, but because of how many individuals say the same thing. This proves that minimal sex education is affecting students in very similar ways, which means fixing the sex education system shouldn’t be as difficult as those in power seem to think it is.

The article gives a brief look at the last few years of sexual education in Jamaica and why things haven’t progressed. But by the end, Allan Terrelonge, state minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, states that the current policies in place are being updated.

“So, I will say it this way, simply because it is controversial. As a government, we operate within a broader context which includes stakeholders. There are some stakeholders, and one in particular, who believe that sex and sexuality, and condoms and birth control, and just safe sex, should not be a discussion to be had with young persons, or young persons who are unmarried,” says Terrelonge.

This leaves me to ask, what about consent? The intricacies of pregnancy and mortality rates? Sexually transmitted diseases? All topics that users answered that they wish they learned more about within their sex education in Jamaica.

There is a bigger picture here that needs not to be neglected. These issues are very much within the framework of religion or marriage as well, married couples can still face issues within pregnancy, STDs, and consent.

Though this information is heavy and discouraging, change is being implemented slowly. The law on non-consensual sex within marriages has recently been changed so that individuals can be charged for forcing non-consensual sex on their spouse.

Keep pushing, Jamaica. Your voices are being heard, change is on its way.