New approach to the taboo topic--'sexuality'
Lesson by Boon BoonprayoonSee 'New models for sexuality education', Learning Post page LP1-2
Sex has always been considered taboo as a topic for discussion since the dawn of human civilization. In Thai society, talking about sex meets with even more disapproval. No one mentions it for fear of being considered to have a dirty mind. Consequently, there have been many problems regarding sexual issues, such as the increasing number of people contracting sexually transmitted diseases, as well as high rates of abortion and unwanted pregnancies among teens. The government and the Ministry of Education have tried to lessen these social problems by introducing sex education into school curricula but not with great success. Teachers, parents and the students themselves still feel awkward discussing the subject.
Today, Chulalongkorn University's Master of Science in Human Sexuality and the Teenpath project are offering new approaches to sexuality education. In today's storym you will find out what the difference between 'sex education' and 'sexuality education' is. What is the new approach to the sexuality education?
taboo - a cultural or religious custom that does not allow people to do, use or talk about a particular thing as people find it offensive or embarrassing
disapproval - a feeling that you do not like an idea, an action or somebody’s behaviour because you think it is bad, not suitable or going to have a bad effect on somebody else
sexually transmitted diseases - the diseases that can be spread to other people or can be contracted by having sex such as AIDS
abortion - the deliberate ending of a pregnancy at an early stage; or a medical operation to end a pregnancy at an early stage
unwanted pregnancy - being pregnant without wanting to be pregnant
sex education - the study about gender, the sexual reproductive system, pregnancy, and safe sex
curricula - the subjects that are included in a course of study or taught in a school, college, etc
awkward - making you feel embarrassed
sexuality - the feelings and activities connected with a person’s sexual desires
sexuality education - the study about broader sexual topics such as sexual development, bonding, relationships between mother-to-child, male-to-female, gender roles, etc.
Reading Questions (the questions are listed by topics of the story)
1.What is the difference between 'sex education' and 'sexuality education'?
2.Why was the sexuality education introduced in the Basic Education Curriculum of 2001 not successful?
Teaching methods
3. What is the purpose of the Teenpath programme?
4. What method is being used in teaching sexuality education?
5. Apart from focusing on the methods of teaching sexuality education, Teenpath also offers training to teachers. What is offered for the teachers?
6. Describe the curriculum designed by Teenpath.
Professional training
7. According to Dr. Sompoch, what are the causes of social problems related to sexuality?
The Chula Programme
8. What are main aspects the programme investigating sexuality?
Vocabulary in the article (given by topic)
harassment - the annoyance or worry done by putting pressure on someone or saying or doing unpleasant things to them
Sex vs Sexuality
reveal - to make something known to somebody; to disclose
anatomy - the scientific study of the structure of human or animal bodies
reproductive system - the organs connected with reproducing babies, young animals or plants
comply with - to obey a rule, an order, etc.
panorama - a description, study or set of pictures that presents all the different aspects or stages of a particular subject, event, etc.
pre-natal - relating to the medical care given to pregnant women
post-partum - connected with the period after the birth of a child
contraception - the practice of preventing a woman from becoming pregnant; the methods of doing this; or birth control
sexual orientation - a person’s basic feelings about sex, especially whether a person is attracted to the opposite sex or the same sex
incorporate into - to include something so that it forms a part of something
ultimately - at the most basic and important level
notwithstanding - however
foster - encourage
Teaching methods
in collaboration with - the act of working with another person or group of people to create or produce something
myth - something that many people believe but that does not exist or is false
moralistic - having or showing very fixed ideas about what is right and wrong, especially when this causes you to judge other people’s behaviour
unbiased - fair and not influenced by your own or somebody else’s opinions, desires, etc.
sexual intercourse - the physical activity of sex
cultural mores - the customs and behaviour that are considered typical of a particular social group or community
dovetail - to be fit together with something else
sporadical - happening only occasionally or at intervals that are not regular
mature - behaving in a sensible way, like an adult
mock - to laugh at somebody in an unkind way, especially by copying what they say or do; or make fun of
diversify - variety
puberty - the period of a person’s life during which their sexual organs develop and they become capable of having children
susceptible - easily influenced by feelings and emotions
consequences - a result of something that has happened
No means no
counselling - professional advice about a problem
scenario - a description of how things might happen in the future
allocate - to give something officially to somebody for a particular purpose
relevant - closely connected with the subject you are discussing or the situation you are thinking about
Professional training
obstetrician - a doctor who is trained in the branch of medicine concerned with the birth of children
The Chula programme
perspective - a particular attitude towards something; a way of thinking about something; or viewpoint
psychotherapy - the treatment of mental illness by discussing somebody’s problems with them rather than by giving them drugs
epidemiology - the scientific study of the spread and control of diseases
conduct - to organize and/or do a particular activity
equip with - to prepare somebody for an activity or task, especially by teaching them what they need to know
alleviate - to make something less severe; or ease
genitalia - a person’s sex organs that are outside their body
Vocabulary from 'Selected poll results, spotlight on Thailand'
virtually - almost or very nearly, so that any slight difference is not important
Vocabulary from 'What governments should do'
to be concerned with - to be about something
funding - money for a particular purpose; the act of providing money for such a purpose
abstinence - the practice of not allowing yourself something, especially food, alcoholic drinks or sex, for moral, religious or health reasons
Word Forms and Vocabulary Building
There are many words in the story that are closely related. In some cases, a change in their form cause a slight difference in their meaning and a large meaning in other cases. Try to be aware of the various forms of the words and study their meanings thoroughly. In many cases, ESL students (students whose native language is not English) tend to take it for granted that these slight differences in the form of the words are not important. This is a wrong and careless way of thinking. The slight difference of the spelling can change the whole meaning of the sentence. Look at the difference between 'hard' and 'hardly', for example.
I have to work hard today.
I have hardly worked today.
In the first sentence it means that I must work 'a lot' today.
In the second sentence 'hardly' means 'almost not'. The meaning of the sentence is that 'I have done almost no work today.
Extra activity
Fill in the blank in each sentence with the word or phrase that best suits the meaning of the sentence. The first three group of words come from the reading. You can study their meaning from the story and the vocabulary given at the end of this material. The other six words are the words that are often used in the everyday English. You may look up the meaning in the dictionary for the correct answer.
I.mores/morality/moralistic
1. Teachers often teach students a _____________ or personal view of what they believe sexuality should be.
2. The new approach allows students to discuss how all these dovetail with society and cultural _________.
3. Standards of ___________ seem to be dropping.
II. limit/limitation
1. You can’t drive — you’re over the _________. (i.e., You have drunk more alcohol than is legal when driving.)
2. They would resist any ___________ of their powers.
III. mature/maturity
1. The forest will take 100 years to reach ___________.
2. Jane is very______ for her age.
IV. cautious/careful
1. You must be __________ when handling chemicals
2. The government has been ___________ in its response to the report.
V. classic/classical
1. I made the _____________ mistake of clapping during a pause in the music!
2. He plays __________ music, as well as pop and jazz.
VI. like/likely
1. We will __________ see him later.
2. There are chances to meet people of _________ mind in the social gathering.
VII. right, rightly
1. He did it ___________.
2. They are ___________ proud of their children.
VIII. sensible/sensitive
1. She gave me some very ___________ advice.
2. This movie may upset a ___________ child.
IX. wrong/wrongly/wrongfully
1. My name was __________ spelt.
2. I realised that it was the _________ thing to say.
3. The defendant was ___________ convicted.
X. worth/worthy/worthwhile
1. The money we raise will be going to a very _________ cause.
2. It is __________ to include really high-quality illustration.
3. The trip was expensive but it was __________ every penny.