It is sad that Malaysia is such a conservative country. It is not a bad thing to be conservative but when people are not acting as conservative as they used to be, then the government should start doing something to minimize the troubles those not-so-conservative people can get themselves into.
I am talking about sex education here.
You can argue with me that we are not conservative. But from
Kenny Sia's blog, you can tell that even a male to male conversation, the doctor can't even say the word Erectile Dysfunction. What's so embarassing about saying that word? He is a doctor and it is a scientific term! Besides, he is not saying it to the opposite gender! I wonder what he would say or do if he is saying this to a female!
Most of my friends from Malaysia, doesn't even know what STD stands for, not to mention the problem and damages that STD could cause them and the ways they could contract STD! It is such a taboo to even talk about all these things among friends, especially with the presence of both gender in the conversation. But with the increasing number of sexually active teenagers who always thought that they are invincible, this is a damn important knowledge!
In the high school/secondary school, we only learn about how babies are made, scientifically. That's all we learned. They never gave us sex education and tell us about the consequences of our action. They never told us that it is not okay to not use protection. They never told us that counting your period definitely wont guarantee you from being knock up by some guy or knock up some gal. They of course, will not tell you that condom doesn't protect you from STD, especially female!
As the results, more early marriages, more dysfunctional family, higher divorce rate, and the worst come to worst, more untreated STD individual walking around the city and spreading them.
In my high school year, I got a few schoolmates, who had to quit school because they are pregnant! They were 16 or 17 at that time! Ways to ruin your life, my dear!
It is so sad that the conservative society had caused so many unneccessary troubles and ruined so many lifes, especially those newborns who are innocent!
Another thing with the conservative society is that people are not comfortable to go to the stores to buy condoms or pills, especially the pills. Condoms, are easy. You run into 7-11, simply grab one, throw some cash on the counter, and run out. I guess that should be easy enough for most guy. As for the pills, no. You need doctor's prescription for pills. If you go to the pharmacy in your town, it might eventually become a news to everyone that "Oh, that someone's daughter is sexually active! What a shame!"
My Polish friend, a woman with a daughter 2 years younger than me, she brought her daughter to the doctor when she was 19 years old and has a boyfriend. She told the daughter about using protection, STD, and bring her to the doctor to get prescription for pills. Even though she would not like her daughter to be sexually active, she chosed to be up and open so that her daughter doesn't have to hide it, and have enough knowledge to protect herself. That's what Malaysian should do!
It is so sad that in Malaysia, talking about sex makes you a slut, especially for female. I really do enjoy the life here, where I can be myself and not have to worry so much about all these gender bias topics that I should avoid speaking, making fun of, or even voice my opinion. I am glad that I have the chance to open up my mind, live my life, and be myself without letting the judgement from the society hold me back. These 5 years really meant a lot to me. I am really glad that I have made the best out of them. If I have to go back to Malaysia this December, I think I will gladly accept it.
Finally, something to share with you all.
Here's the funny story about an embarassing incident encountered by my friend:
In my university's student health center, they give free condoms to the students. (They even have it wrapped nicely like a lollipop for Valentine's day)They put those colorful condoms in a basket, and you can grab as many as you want. They are packed into a long oval shape instead of the regular round shape.
There is this Indian student, unmarried, who came from a conservative society, of course, and probably never seen a condom in his life, yet. He was waiting for his medicine near the pharmacy counter and he was looking at those condoms, wondering what they are. The nurse(female) thought that he would like to take it but he is just being shy, so, she told him, "You can take as many as you want." He then asked the nurse, "Which color do you like?" The nurse was puzzled by his question, and later on, he only found out that they are condoms! They thought that they are candy!
Here are some links that you can go to read about STD
STD from CDCI Wanna KnowAlso, just a reminder to females, you are advised to do a PAP test if you are sexually active, or over 20 years old.
Here's the information link.
*wishful thinking*
