Why is AIDS education for young people an issue?
Educating young people about HIV and AIDS necessitates discussions about sensitive subjects such as sex and drug use. Many people believe that it is inappropriate to talk to young people about these subjects and fear that doing so will encourage young people to indulge in risky behaviours. Such attitudes are often based on moral or religious views rather than evidence, and severely limit AIDS education around the world. Substantial evidence shows that educating young people about safer sex and the importance of using condoms does not lead to increases in sexual activity.7
“I did not go to school and learn about the civil war and decide to start a civil war, nor would I have had sex because of a class in school.” Mark
The belief that young people should only be taught about sex and drugs in terms of them being ‘wrong’ also perpetuates stigmatisation of people who are living with HIV. By teaching young people that indulging in ‘immoral’ sex and drugs will lead to HIV infection, educators imply that anyone who has HIV is therefore involved in these ‘immoral’ activities.
In order to prevent becoming infected with HIV, young people need comprehensive information about how HIV is transmitted and what they can do to stop themselves from becoming infected. This information should be delivered without moral judgement.
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