By Perry Tan

In a society as diverse as Singapore, there can be no society-wide consensus on values pertaining to sex and sexuality. There exist a wide array of opinions on how topics like minority sexual orientations, masturbation, pre-marital sex, contraception, abortion, divorce, relationships and gender roles should be taught in school. How one sees these topics is almost always influenced by one's religious beliefs or personal values.

It is baffling why 4 of the 6 MOE approved sexuality education vendors are Christian affiliated and their materials present an obviously traditional Christian take on the subject matter. Especially when these vendors conduct programmes in secular, state funded schools in a society where Christians make up only 19% of the population.

While people of any faith are entitled to adopt values pertaining to sexuality as prescribed by their respective faiths, it is as important that people without faith have the freedom to look at it in their own terms. There is no monolithic set of values on this subject matter. Believers within the same faith can hold a spectrum of opinions on sexuality, people of different faiths can hold polar opposite views (eg polygamy is accepted by Muslims but not people of other faiths) and non religious folks often see little relevance in traditional religious perspectives on sexual behaviour and gender roles.

I personally find the materials from Focus on the Family sexist, outdated, religiously rooted, sometimes factually and scientifically inaccurate, and generally irrelevant to modern life.

While I have no issue with religious groups conducting sexuality workshops based on their religious beliefs in schools, it is unacceptable that these programmes are delivered to entire student populations without regard or respect for the diversity in views on the subject matter.

As a parent, I would be flabbergasted and upset if my girls are presented such materials as the gospel truth in school.

At the very least, sexuality programmes developed by religious groups should be upfront about its religious underpinnings and allow students the choice to opt out.

Even better, create a comprehensive programme that informs students about the various perspectives on the topic as adopted by the different groups in society. If reality is such that society does not hold a consensus, why should young people be taught otherwise?

We have no need for self-appointed "gatekeepers" to uphold public "morality" narrowly defined by their religious lenses.

And no, there is no single set of "community norms" on this.

Perry Tan is a father of two and an executive in the finance industry. 

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Top photo from here. 

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