Sex education debate heats up in Philippines FEATURE 06/23/2010

Sex education debate heats up in Philippines

FEATURE 06/23/2010 Anew sex education campaign in Philippine schools has sparked widespread debate in Asia’s bedrock of Catholicism, where the high birth rate is blamed for desperate poverty. The United Nations-backed program, which is being piloted this month in primary and high schools, aims to promote safe sex, limit the spread of HIV-AIDS and prevent unwanted pregnancies. However, the Catholic Church and powerful conservative crusaders have struck back with a high-profile campaign to shut down the project, saying it breaks the nation’s religion-based moral codes. “Sex education in schools is not the answer to our population problem and poverty,” Eric Manalang, head of the conservative political party Ang Kapatiran (The Brotherhood), told AFP on Monday. “It promotes promiscuity among children... it does not promote the proper values that we want our children to receive in schools and we believe sex education should strictly remain a family affair.” Manalang said his party and church had filed a petition in court on Monday requesting an injunction to stop the program.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100623com3.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Different strokes for different presidents FRONTLINE Senate politics FEATURE Sex education debate heats up in Philippines MR. EXPOSE Carry on, V-nay C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S JPE’s notes; Abalos’ point HE SAYS The spare tire SHE SAYS Swearing in