Why Hong Kong needs comprehensive sex education if it wants to reduce unplanned teenage pregnancies – YP

Luckily, she had a good relationship with her mother and father, and they took the news better than she expected.

“They weren’t angry. They calmly asked if I was ready to take on the responsibility of raising a child at such a young age,” she said, adding that her boyfriend’s family was also scared but supportive.

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Although Mei Mei was still nervous, she felt encouraged and decided to abandon her plans for a career in marketing. She married her boyfriend – who got a full-time job – and they moved in with his family while they prepared for the birth of a child.

She recalled adjusting to motherhood, living in a different home, and feeling isolated from friends who supported her but couldn’t relate to her experience was difficult.

Of course, there were happy moments too: “Watching your child grow up… it’s a great joy to see him smile and say ‘mommy’ and ‘daddy,'” she shared.

Looking back on that time, Mei Mei said she wished she had known more about contraception. She didn’t have much knowledge about the subject, having only had two or three lessons on the subject in high school.

She added: “These courses were hosted by an external NGO that came to campus.”

The organization taught the basics of birth control but did not give students access to it. At her school, there was no dedicated teacher or staff member to answer students’ questions about sex education.

The State of Sex Education in Hong Kong

Mei Mei’s lack of knowledge about sex education is not unusual; This is a given in Hong Kong.

A Report 2022 The Equal Opportunities Commission study found that almost one in seven secondary schools in Hong Kong do not offer sex education classes in the classroom. About half of the schools that cover the topic only devote about five hours to it per school year.

Many do this in science or biology classes, focusing on anatomy rather than providing a comprehensive overview of sex. According to the report, more than 80 percent of schools said they struggled to make time for the topic due to the “busy” curriculum.

Ansley Lee, a teacher and counselor at Kiangsu-Chekiang College, agreed that making time for sex education is difficult.

“School time is packed with various curricula, remedial courses and other experiential education activities… with sex education perhaps given the least attention and never the highest priority for most schools in Hong Kong,” she said.

“Teachers have little understanding that sex education can be divided into different subject areas… from knowledge about sexual health to awareness of values ​​that motivate healthy sexual choices.”

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The Family Planning Association 2021 Youth Sexuality Study Report revealed that the students’ sexual knowledge was “unsatisfactory”. The results showed that students in grades 3 to 6 correctly answered, on average, eight of 12 questions about conception and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Rachel Chow, head of resource development at Teen’s Key, an NGO that advocates for the sexual and reproductive health of young people in Hong Kong, agreed that a more comprehensive approach is needed.

“The connection between a lack of sex education and teenage pregnancy is clear,” noted Chow. While NGOs like Teen’s Key can offer sexual health support, Chow emphasized that schools also need to do their part.

She added that when teenagers “don’t receive proper sex education, they are left in the dark about important things like sexual health (and) contraception…They are more likely to take risks and have unprotected sex.”

The charity worker explained that a lack of comprehensive sex education was setting young people up for failure: “The teenagers are playing a game without knowing the rules – not a good idea when it comes to something as important as preventing unplanned pregnancies or even sexual abuse goes.”

This has far-reaching implications for teenagers who have a child before they are ready: “It becomes much more difficult to complete their education, pursue a career and become financially stable,” Chow said.

Rachel Chow is Director of Resource Development at Teen’s Key. Photo: Handout

New beginnings

That’s why Teen’s Key, founded in 2012, provides preventive sex education as well as free, anonymous sexually transmitted disease testing, a 24-hour emergency line, crisis support and counseling.

“They need the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about their bodies and their future,” Chow explained, adding that truly comprehensive sex education goes far beyond what schools currently offer.

Teens need to learn about topics such as “body image, relationships, intimacy boundaries and discussions about consent and sexual violence,” she noted.

Teen’s Key also offers programs to support young mothers, helping them feel less alone and plan for the future.

Sex Education in Hong Kong: Things You Need to Know But Were Afraid to Ask

Mei Mei’s son is now school-aged and she works part-time as an administrative assistant at Teen’s Key. She also serves as an ambassador, sharing her story in schools and businesses.

Meanwhile, the charity recently launched an initiative called Unlocking New Beginnings, which raises young people’s awareness of health and consent through interactive workshops for schools.

“By promoting dialogue and understanding, we can empower youth and debunk myths about sex and relationships so they can make informed decisions about their bodies and relationships,” Chow said.

It’s a message close to Mei Mei, who has taken to heart the mission: “Every young woman should have the rights and knowledge to protect herself.”

*Name will not be mentioned at the request of the interviewee.