Right now would be the perfect time to have Eraserheads’ classic song, “Magasin,” playing in the background as you read this article. No one seems to take sex seriously unless it is discussed in the form of toilet humor or hushed silence. Teachers would take pains to be careful with their choice of words to make sure that no student would laugh at the mention of “certain” reproductive body parts, their functions, locations and purpose for fear that parents would come storming the school. The religious mainstream is catered to and follows the credo of sex being reserved specifically for reproduction within the constraints of married life. Parents dread the question “where do babies come from?” Sex is viewed with such naivety, immoral curiosity and agnostic disgust which has led to the booming “bomba flicks” to cater to the guilty pleasure of Philippine cinema goers.
It is difficult to accept that despite living in an age reaping the benefits of knowledge unveiling the mysteries of a once supernatural world that such a natural act as sex is still continued to be viewed with such disgust, disdain and feigned ignorance. Sex is the very reason why we are all here, why we exist. More than any other individualistic value or trait, it has suffered the most from layers of infantile ridicule from centuries of religious doctrine and double standards. It’s a very private, intimate celebration of life.
Is it really any surprise why the proposed Reproductive health bill is met with such strong opposition? The reproductive health (RH) bill promotes information on and access to both natural and modern family planning methods, which are medically safe and legally permissible. It assures an environment where women and couples have the freedom of informed choice on the mode of family planning they want to adopt based on their needs, personal convictions and religious beliefs. The fact that most people who oppose this bill haven’t even read it is proof of the naive and ignorant attitude that Filipinos have towards sex. Basing their decisions on superficial values without a thought or consideration for the needs of the invisible population who do not enjoy their comfortable, “righteous” lives.
You might be interested in reading the following article
from the New Yorker magazine.
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/11/03/081103fa_fact_talbot
Apparently, girls from evangelical conservative families are
more likely to get pregnant out of wedlock.
In the Philippines, it is a well known fact that the
wildest girls can be found studying at conservative
catholic schools. I can vouch for this myself with a
“scientifically corrobated” case: my ex-girlfriend.
Maybe those convent-bred girls are just taking the
biblical injunction of “Go forth and multiply” to heart.