My school was recently invited to the National Sexuality and Re-productive Health Expo 2009, held at the National Arena on February 11. We were asked to take at least 30 students, a request I found rather strange.
I looked on as the necessary precautions were taken to keep students from carrying weapons inside; some level of order was maintained. When the programme finally started, I listened as the chairman spoke to students, I'm sure they got nothing from her. They were simply not interested until she wised up and brought on a member of the ASHE ensemble to, as she put it, "lively up di place". Apparently she, too, was bored.
'Abstain, but ...'
When we were finally allowed to view the booths, I noticed all booths had flyers with round about the same message, "Abstain, but if you can't, use a condom." Wow! Someone had found a way to please some Christians. Abstinence promotion you want; abstinence promotion you get.
Loud music dominated the airways. I could barely hear anything that was being said by the agents at the booths. As my chest pounded, I felt like I was leaning on a sound box. While I had a problem with the loud music, the music itself was a problem. Mixed messages were not only on the posters; the music, too, was truly indecent. Songs with sounds as though two people were in bed had the students screaming. That's all they had to hear from the guest artiste Busy Signal and mission accomplished, the students enjoyed themselves. Anybody's innocence would have been taken away by the Ministry of Education's reproductive health expo.
they got the 'message'
The students got it. Now they know what sounds to make in the bedroom, how they like it, and what to do when they ... well, I won't say, since I want this letter to be published.
Mixed messages, I realised some time back aren't only at these expositions, but in policies. We set our age of consent at 16 years old. Therefore, we are telling these young people that they are eligible to have children and be responsible for a young life. Alcohol, no way! You are not responsible enough to have a drink until you are 18. So, you can be responsible for a young life at 16, but not have a drink. Talk about disparity in the justice system. And if they are still considered a child in need of care and protection at 16, then why are they being given this responsible option to have a child or not?
I am, etc.,
ABEILO OLUBAYO
oyannjacobs@yahoo.com
Kingston