‘Indians don’t know enough about sex’

NEW DELHI: Even as politicians vehemently oppose the introduction of sex education in schools, studies show that Indians — not only adolescent, youths but even those married — have not enough information about sex, thereby increasing the possibility of marital rape and other forms of sexual violence.

TARSHI, an NGO running a helpline on sexual information received over 59,000 calls from men seeking information about the woman’s anatomy, what would happen if they do not “perform” on the first night and also on how to make their wives happy and sexually fulfiled.

Later, many of these men phoned back thanking how the information proved useful in preventing marital rape, informed Radhika Chandiramani, Executive Director of TARSHI.  

An analysis of the data showed that 70% of the callers were below 30 years of age while 33% were in the age group of 15 to 24 indicating that young people have no source to receive positive information about sex, she pointed out, adding that it affirmed that both young and old have the right to information about safe and healthy sex.

“However, in India right from the beginning youngsters are taught that sexuality is not a good thing. Even those who are old enough are restricted to certain socially prescribed aspects of sexuality and its dangers,'' she said.