Criticism from Experts Continues Despite Government Officials' Defense
Hong Kong education authorities' recently published sex education textbook for middle school students is being criticized as outdated.
On the 26th, Yonhap News quoted the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) reporting that last week, Hong Kong authorities included sex education content in the Citizenship, Economics, and Social Studies curriculum for students in grades 1 to 3 of middle school.
The content includes advice that young couples who cannot take responsibility for pregnancy and childbirth should avoid premarital sex, set limits on physical contact in the early stages of dating, and build resistance to pornography. It also recommends that when a male student is left alone with his girlfriend and feels sexual urges, he should "go to the gym together and play badminton" to distract himself.
As the textbook content became known, Hong Kong internet users flooded social media with mocking comments, calling it a "backward way of thinking." Netizens sarcastically asked if the badminton invitation was the Hong Kong version of the euphemism for sex, ‘Netflix and chill’.
On the other hand, senior Hong Kong government officials defended the textbook as necessary to protect students. Education Secretary Christine Choi said in a TV interview, "This textbook is aimed at 12 to 14-year-old middle school students, and its goal is to protect them," adding that it is intended to teach young people positive and correct values.
John Lee, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong government, also agreed with Secretary Choi, stating, "The government should help shape society through education."
However, many education experts sharply criticized the content as "not fitting the times." Experts pointed out to the media that "instead of emphasizing control over sexual urges, education authorities should teach how to cope with and understand sexual impulses when faced with them." They also expressed concern that the textbook content could reinforce a ‘victim-blaming culture.’
The controversy surrounding the sex education textbook seems to be spreading into Hong Kong’s political circles as well. Legislative Council member Dorin Kung posted on social media, saying, "Advising young people to play badminton when they feel sexual urges is unrealistic," and questioned, "Can you really book a court in such a short time just to play badminton?"
Legislative Council member Gary Zhang questioned the authorities’ attitude, which seemed to condemn premarital sex, pointing out that "students may feel anxiety and pressure."
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