The gender-based views towards sexual education among young adults in the Gampaha district of Sri Lanka

Abstract

The Education Ministry of Sri Lanka has recently developed a textbook to provide sexual education (SE), and withdrawn. International scholars mentioned that children should receive SE. Scholars of Sri Lanka suggested that SE should adhere with culture. Some scientific data showed that SE is taboo among most females. Sri Lankan findings based on these areas exhibit rarity attributable to the research gap. The study examined gender-based views towards SE, via SE-oriented demographics (main way received SE -SE1, personal satisfaction of SE -SE2, idea on providing formal SE -SE3). Responses (n=406) were gathered via an online self-administered questionnaire through the convenience sampling. In this descriptive and cross- sectional study, data were analyzed using the chi-square test with the assistance of SPSS 26. There are significant relationships between, ‘gender and SE2’, and ‘gender and SE3’, also ‘yes’ was more likely than ‘no or neutral’ to be associated with gender. There is no significant relationship between ‘gender and SE1’. Moreover, within the total responses, 55.4% received SE via informal manner, 51.9% were personally satisfied with the SE level, and 86.5% responded yes to providing formal SE; 95% males and 80.8% females. The results showed that a higher percentage of responders might expect the development of SE. Accordingly, ground-level attitudes towards SE would be positive. More than 50% of responders received SE informally, although satisfied with the SE level they have. Therefore, well-developed SE might lead to a higher percentage of satisfaction with SE level. It is difficult to explain these findings compared to previous studies, due to the higher research gap. The findings are only representing the Gampaha district. Thus, future researches are needed to explore gender-based views towards SE, and the relationship between gender and SE, to develop an SE system that is culturally acceptable and enhancing the feasibility of Sri Lankan education.