Sexuality programme gives information 'in a non-judgmental way'
By
Sandra Davie
and
Tan Dawn Wei
Aware's past president Constance Singham (left) and founding member Margaret Thomas were among those who spoke on the old guard's stance yesterday. -- ST PHOTO: MUGILAN RAJASEGERAN
THE Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) sexuality education training manual suggests that homosexuality should be viewed in 'neutral' terms, rather than positive or negative.
It goes on to explain why: 'Homosexuality is perfectly normal. Just like heterosexuality, it is simply the way you are. Homosexuals also form meaningful relationships, and face the same emotional issues that heterosexuals do.'
Sexual education programme's aims
What it is: Aware's Comprehensive Sexual Education programme is aimed at helping young people develop a healthy and positive attitude towards sexuality and empowering them in their decision-making.
Who it is for: Girls aged 12 to 18 in schools and special homes. Aware recently developed a programme for boys as well. Workshops are limited to 25 participants. Parents can sign opt-out forms if they do not want their children to attend. The sessions are held after school hours.
Excerpts from Thursday's press conference by new leaders
'FEMINIST MENTOR' OR COUP LEADER?
SENIOR lawyer Thio Su Mien, 71, revealed on Wednesday that she became disturbed when she noticed what she felt was Aware's promotion of lesbianism and homosexuality. She then began urging women she knew to join Aware and reset its focus on women's issues. New Aware president Josie Lau is married to Dr Thio's nephew, Dr Alan Chin, who is an affiliate member of Aware. Like several of the women on Aware's new executive committee, Dr Thio attends the Anglican Church Of Our Saviour in Margaret Drive. She described herself as a 'feminist mentor' to working women, and at Thursday's press conference, was pressed on her role in the leadership grab at the Aware AGM.
It was this statement that raised the ire of four new leaders of Aware - president Josie Lau, honorary treasurer Maureen Ong, honorary secretary Jenica Chua and committee member Lois Ng.
At their press conference on Thursday, Ms Ong, a mother of three, said it was the sexuality education programme that made her worry about what Aware was teaching children. 'I'm concerned. I'm a parent. It's shocking,' she said.
It spurred her to join Aware, and be part of its takeover last month.
But former Aware president Constance Singam said on Friday that the programme was a comprehensive one, designed to provide teens with information in a non-judgmental way. 'We do not teach kids to impart judgment, we just give them information,' she said. 'Their values come from their family, and their religion. Words like 'homosexuality', 'sexy' and 'virginity' are neutral words because Aware is non-judgmental'.
The sexual education programme started in 2007 and has reached about 12 secondary schools, run for small groups of students selected by their teachers to attend. To date 500 students, mostly girls, have attended the workshop, which comprises two three-hour sessions. It was only recently offered to boys.
The programme was developed over a year in consultation with parents, youth social workers, teachers, and academics from a range of institutions. Mrs Singam said it was put through a rigorous process of testing before being taken to schools.
It was run by volunteers who were selected after an interview. Before they could conduct the programme, they had a three-day training workshop including testing, two shadow-training sessions, and a number of assisted workshops.
Each three-hour workshop consists of games, role-play, discussions, and a presentation, covering topics such as sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, contraceptives, negotiation skills to resist peer pressure and building healthy relationships.
Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.
