Questions on Sexuality from Children: A Case for Sex Education in Kenyan Schools

Abstract

Children generally are shy to ask their parents questions related to sex and reproduction. It is normally challenging for parents to give factual responses to their children regardless of children’s age. Talking to a teacher may be easier. Sex education is usually offered in schools or elsewhere with the aim of helping young people to learn early enough about the physiological and emotional changes that might take place in their bodies. It is offered with the hope that the recipients would consequently develop self respect and be able to make responsible decisions pertaining to their sexual lives. This paper therefore discusses the need for sex education in Kenyan schools. The focus is on questions raised by primary and secondary school students in 2010 within a context of a larger study. The students were asked to write on a piece of paper questions that they would not ask their parents or teachers. The questions are pointers to the fact that most children lack correct and useful information on sexuality and there is need to introduce sex education as a subject in the Kenyan school curriculum.