Education must be natural

Page 7

Indians used to be comfortable with their own sexuality, says a leading American sex educator.

But that was before the arrival of the white man, says Billy Rogers of the University of Oklahoma.

Now it's a different story, he says. Indians are confused about their sexuality, caught in the middle of their traditional values and those of the dominant society.

That's led to horrendous problems involving sexuality, he says, including a high incidence of teen pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and the potential for an AIDS epidemic.

Roger, a Kiowa Indian, says it's time Indians again began to do what was once natural and give their children sex education to combat the problems

It means talking about safe sex, ranging from abstinence to using condoms to protect against sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS.

Sexual feelings are the most natural feelings in the world, he says. And it's time explanations of these feelings were given the same instructional importance as talking about drug and alcohol abuse.

Using descriptive words - and illustrations when possible - doesn't mean condoning premarital sex, says Rogers.

It just explains to young people what's happening to them or about to happen.

An important part of sex education is talking about appropriate sexual behavior, he says. "Let them (Native youth) know they have choices and decisions."

The key to good sex education is not to lecture or moralize, but to inform, says Rogers.

It's the only way Native youth will make appropriate decisions for themselves, he says, noting a growing number of young people are "buying into abstinence" - a combination of spiritual, physical and mental attitudes that leas to harmony with inner self and nature.