Graphic Kids Sex Education Book Divides Opinion in China

source: mothership.sg

How should schools explain the birds and the bees to kids? That was one of the topics buzzing online in China last week.

A post on microblogging website Weibo last Tuesday (Feb. 28), by a Chinese mother from Hangzhou complaining about the blunt language and graphic illustrations in a primary school enrichment book on sex education her child brought home, has sparked a lively debate on Chinese social media.

“Do primary two students start to learn this now? Is it really okay to edit the book like that? I can’t bear to read the last sentence. Can we be sure that this is not a counterfeit book?”

The liberal tone of the book is reflected in its open approach in showing pictures of male and female reproductive organs, and also two people having sex.

Like this:

Besides human reproduction, the book also teaches children about sexual abuse, homosexuality and gender equality.

Homosexuality

The concept of homosexuality is introduced at the primary five level, teaching children that homosexuality is a natural thing.

The illustration shows two students asking their teacher about their two female neighbors who live together as a couple.

The teacher says: “The majority of people are attracted to the opposite sex, but there are also some people who feel attracted to the same sex. This is a completely normal phenomenon. We can’t discriminate against them.”

Gender Equality

In the booklet, children are taught from an early age about gender equality and to think beyond occupational stereotypes.

For example, females can also become pilots or be in the police force, while males can become outstanding kindergarten teachers and nurses.

Like most conservative societies in Asia, sex has traditionally been a taboo subject in China. Schools and parents often find it awkward to talk to young people about it, despite more and more of them becoming sexually active before marriage.

Chinanews quoted The Beijing Normal University Publishing Group, who said in response to media queries that the materials involved underwent “strict scrutiny”.