‘Honest’ primary school sex-education textbook in China slammed for going too far
Series for primary schools depicts sexual organs, positions and gay couples, drawing criticism online, but author stands by content
A series of primary school textbooks about sex has triggered debate on the Chinese mainland over what sort of content is appropriate to teach the subject to children.
The books contain illustrations depicting male and female genitals, couples having sex and various scenarios of children asking parents general questions about sex, including sexual abuse.
The series, called Cherish Life, is published by Beijing Normal University and intended for classroom instruction for children aged from six to 12, with more sophisticated versions introducing sexual orientation to older pupils.
But not all parents are comfortable with the content, according to China News Service. One mother in Hangzhou in Zhejiang province found a copy of one book in a second-hand market at her child’s school and posted her criticisms online. “Is it reasonable for a textbook to be compiled like this? I blush reading it,” she said in a post on Weibo last month.
Sex education is a controversial topic on the Chinese mainland and many schools avoid the issue completely. But activists say that shying away from basic knowledge about sexual health puts teenagers at greater risk of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.
The mother’s post went viral, with readers divided in their reaction. Some applauded it for its “honest, unfiltered” depiction of human biology, with others saying the content went too far.