In predominantly Catholic Paraguay, with the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in South America, the Ministry of Education has approved the country's first national sex education curriculum. But it's not what many activists hoped for.
In Catholic Paraguay ’s 1st sex ed program, condoms can’t be trusted, love is forever, boys don’t cry |
It made no sense to Zalazar, who had recently had sex for the first time without realizing it could make her pregnant., which has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in South America, many young mothers explained their teen pregnancies to The Associated Press as the result of growing up in a country where parents avoid the birds and the bees talk at all costs and national sex education is indistinguishable from a hygiene lesson.
“We have a very strong Judeo-Christian culture that still prevails, and there’s fierce resistance to anything that goes against our principles,” said Miguel Ortigoza, a key proponent of the curriculum and evangelical pastor from Capitol Ministries, a Washington-based nonprofit that ran“Laws everywhere now allow girls to kill their babies, but Paraguay is among the remaining few saying no for Jesus’ sake,” said Oscar Avila, manager of an anti-abortion shelter for young mothers in Paraguay’s...
Education Minister Luis Fernando Ramirez downplayed the controversy, stressing there was still time to improve the curriculum before enforcing it. “There’s no expenditure of state funds,” he told lawmakers. “Let’s not pass judgement until we do deeper work.” The books are filled with unexpected claims, too — “Boys do not clearly perceive high-pitched voices,” it says.“Without a truly inclusive education that allows you to understand your reality, it’s scary,” said Yren Rotela, a trans activist whose identity as female at 13 pushed her into indentured servitude and sex work in a country where transgender identity is not legally recognized, there’s no legislation recognizing hate crimes and discrimination is widespread.
The focus on unquestioned deference carries a political charge in Paraguay, where experts say Latin America’s longest-ruling dictatorship instilled an enduring autocratic tradition.
South America Sex Education Europe Sex And Sexuality General News School Curricula Education Donald Trump Conservatism Pregnancy And Childbirth Gender World News I Birth Control Health Politics
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
South Korea unveils world’s 1st 6th-gen DRAM chip that consumes 30% less powerSK hynix, the world's second-largest memory chip maker, has surpassed Samsung Electronics in developing the 6th generation DRAM chip.
Read more »
South Carolina prison director says options for 1st execution in 13 years ready to goFreddie Owens is scheduled to die Sept. 20 for the killing of a store clerk in Greenville in 1997. Owens must decide by Sept. 6 which of the state’s three methods will be used to execute him.
Read more »
South Korea: Hyundai 1st to reveal EV battery makers’ list, Kia to followThe South Korean automaker has taken the first step by disclosing the names of battery manufacturers for its entire electric vehicle lineup.
Read more »
South Bay history: Some South Bay and Harbor Area cities found the road to incorporation rockyThe practice of allowing residents to vote on whether or not to incorporate began with the passage of a law providing for the option by the California State Legislature in March 1883.
Read more »
Pope Francis embarks on his longest trip yet as Catholic Church pivots to AsiaHe is 87 years old and in recent years has battled health difficulties and begun using a wheelchair. But Pope Francis is embarking on the longest trip of his pontificate.
Read more »
Pope Francis embarks on his longest trip yet as Catholic Church pivots to AsiaHe is 87 years old and in recent years has battled health difficulties and begun using a wheelchair. But Pope Francis is embarking on the longest trip of his pontificate.
Read more »