A Study on the Need in Sex Education of Primary School Students and Their Parents in Seoul

서울시내(市內) 일부(一部) 국민학교(國民學校) 학생(學生) · 학부모(學父母)의 성교육(性敎育) 요구도(要求度) 조사(調査)

Sex does not mean simply the physical behaviors related to man and woman, rather the sexuality needed socializing process toward total personality. It is believed that religion or social norms on sex, limit talking about sex openly. But children have, their own sexual thinking and want to know why and how. This survey was conducted to find out the need in sex education of primary school students and their parents in Seoul area, comparing students'sexual knowledge, attitude, and behavior to their parents', in October 1989. Total 400 students and their parents who are attending two primary school in Seoul, were given the questionnaires, and 395 students' and 310 parents', respectively, were finally analyzed. The following results were obtained. 1. The mean of 11 questions In asking sexual knowledge of students was 6.18, and showed no difference between boys and girls. But the higher grade, the higher score. 2. The positive attitudes on marriage and sex roles were showed, but negative on physical changes with puberty, which was same to the parents' reaction. 3. Moro than three-forths of students wanted to take sex education class, and one-third of them believed that it should be conducted by school nurses. This was accorded with their parents. 4. The sexual knowledge degree and attitudes of parents went proportionately to their higher educational background. Protestants reacted more negatively to the given sexual terms. No significant difference was made among the age groups of them. As stated above. the degree of sexual knowledge and attitudes are movable accordingly to their children's sexual thinking and need. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that sex education In the primary schools should be conducted systematically involving parents, especially mothers. And it is suggested that school nurses undertake their responsibilities as the sex educators.