Monday Musings: Why Women Deserve Better Sex Education (Seriously, It’s About Time)

You know what’s on my mind today? The fact that it’s 2025, and somehow, we’re still debating whether women deserve proper sex education. Isn’t that wild? We can 3D-print houses and send billionaires to space, but when it comes to teaching girls about their own bodies, people still act like it’s the end of the world.

Growing up in the Philippines, I can’t say I’m surprised. There was no such thing as a proper talk about sex or reproduction. If you had questions, you either didn’t ask or risked getting side-eyed by every adult in the room. It was the ultimate DIY situation: figure it out on your own, hope for the best, and maybe pick up a few questionable “facts” from equally clueless friends. It's literally the blind leading the blind. If someone gets pregnant then it’s 100% the woman’s fault for not keeping her legs closed.

And that’s the problem, isn’t it? We’ve spent so much time keeping sex and reproduction a mystery that we’re now living with the consequences—teenage pregnancies, rising rates of sexually transmitted infections, and a society full of myths that make no sense.

Let’s be real for a second: Women have it harder when it comes to sex and reproduction. If a teenage boy gets someone pregnant, his life barely skips a beat. He might get a lecture, but he still goes on with his plans. For the girl? It’s a whole different story. Her life changes completely, and not in the way she hoped.

This isn’t just about individual choices, either. When girls don’t have access to proper sex education, they’re more vulnerable to risks they didn’t even know existed. And yet, when things go wrong, society has the audacity to blame them for not “taking care of themselves.” How exactly are they supposed to take care of themselves when no one taught them what to watch out for?

I’ll never forget the ridiculous myths that floated around when I was younger. Stuff like “You can’t get pregnant the first time,” or “Peeing or washing after sex can prevent pregnancy,” and my favorite, “If you jump after the act the sperm won’t take.” Cue eye roll! Spoiler alert: none of that is true. But here’s the thing, those myths stick because no one bothers to replace them with facts. And in a culture where talking about sex is taboo, misinformation thrives.

This is why sex education is so important, especially for women. Beyond teaching them about basic biology, it’s here to teach girls that they have a say over their bodies. It’s about knowing that consent is non-negotiable, that contraception is a tool—not a scandal—and that their health is worth protecting. Sex education isn’t about encouraging anyone to have sex. It’s about giving people the knowledge to make informed decisions. It’s about teaching kids how their bodies work, what boundaries look like, and why respect is crucial in any relationship.

For women especially, it’s about breaking free from the cycle of shame and ignorance that’s been passed down for generations. It’s about reclaiming the right to ask questions and demand better.

I get it. Some parents and conservative groups are worried that teaching kids about sex will lead to experimentation. But here’s the truth: kids are going to figure it out anyway. The difference is whether they’re doing it with accurate information or with a mix of rumors and guesswork. If anything, proper sex education makes kids more aware of the risks and less likely to engage in risky behavior. It gives them a foundation to make smarter, safer choices. Isn’t that what we all want?

I have a childhood friend who is about to become a licensed OB-GYNE doctor. When I recently asked her about whether she wants children, she emphatically said no. I asked why, and she said it’s because she knows too much about what actually goes into giving birth to suffer through it without a strong reason. I completely agree with her. If young women knew more about the process involved in getting pregnant and giving birth, they would not so easily choose it.

At the heart of this debate is one simple fact: women deserve better. Better information, better resources, and better chances to build the lives they want. Sex education isn’t just about preventing pregnancies or STIs—although those are important. It’s about giving women the tools to take control of their futures.

So here’s my Monday thought: Let’s stop treating sex education like it’s something to be afraid of. Let’s recognize it for what it really is—a way to protect and empower the next generation of women. And if we’re serious about creating a better future, we have to start here.