2017 EDITION Vol.4 Issue 16 DIGITAL

LETTERS
Dear Aunt Silvia,
Aunt Silvia
I am a great fan of yours. Thank you for
your ever encouraging pieces of advice
for the readers. I have recently been
facing a big challenge. I am a single father
with two teenagers, a boy, and girl.
Unfortunately, my wife died of cancer
some five years ago; so I am the one raising
up the kids. Contrary to the family and
friend’s advice, I don’t want to have another
woman in my life – at least not – till my
kids have grown up. Now that my daughter
is reaching the puberty stage, I am worried
and sometimes confused whether to enlighten
her on sex education or just keep quiet, in
view of the fact that such a topic is not
mostly being discussed here in Africa. I feel
uncomfortable when she asks me questions in
that area. What is your advice?
Yours,
Wilson ( Harbel, Liberia)
QUOTES
“Well, it seems to
me that the best
relationships - the
ones that last
- are frequently
the ones that are
rooted in friendship.
You know,
one day you look
at the person and
you see something
more than you did
the night before.
Like a switch has
been flicked somewhere.
And the
person who was
just a friend is...
suddenly the only
person you can
ever imagine yourself
with.”
-Gillian Anderson
Dear Wilson,
Please do accept my condolences on the
death of your wife. Furthermore, you
definitely have my big congratulations on
the giant steps you have taken towards
giving your children the best chance for
their future. You have made a good choice.
Interestingly, you mentioned you have
two teenagers, a boy, and girl, but your
question centered on your daughter; I was
just wondering if you think sex education
is equally not necessary for your son.
Regardless, I do understand your dilemma
– especially in your attempt to satisfy
both the social and cultural demands.
Based on statistics available, the rate of
teenage pregnancy, abortion, venereal
disease is much lower in the Western
world than in Third world countries
like those in Africa – despite the belief
in many quarters that the West is
“spoiled,” especially in view of their
liberal attitude and openness towards
sex. The big question is why do we have
a less teenage pregnancy, abortion etc
in the West than in Africa? In as such
as I am a supporter of African culture,
one must not ignore the obvious realities.
The knowledge they say is power. On the
other hand, ignorance cannot only be
dangerous, it is, to a certain extent, a
big disease. Ignorance creates false belief,
which could be dangerous. Often, many of
our kids are exposed to danger due to lack
of knowledge. You hear about unwanted
pregnancy, sexual advances, intimidations
and deadly abortion practices and so on.
Most of these happen simply because of
limited information or knowledge.
them to make right decisions in life.
Denying them of this vital education can
be counterproductive. On the other hand,
I am not saying you should encourage
your children to be wild. No! Children can
be brought up having good knowledge
of sex education without necessarily
being wayward. Definitely, I know most
daughters (again, as mentioned above,
sex education is not only meant for girls;
boys need it as well) are more comfortable
discussing intimate or sex r-related issues
with their mum, you should, as a single
father, create a relaxed atmosphere
between you and your children, so that
such a discussion will be received without
fear or embarrassment. The worst thing
that could happen is when children hide
things from their parents due to fear.
The same fear could lead them to make
grave mistakes. Encourage them to ask
questions, rather than fearfully taking
an irrational decision that can ruin their
future. For sure, you need to draw a line
between openness and not crossing the
border. Yes, you could be open to your
children to help them not to make wrong
decisions in life, and at the same time,
maintain your African cultural borders.
Good luck, Wilson.
Yours,
Sex education is not only meant
for girls; boys need it as well”
www.katakata.org
I strongly believe children should be
Aunt Silvia
taught sex education in order to empower
NOV 2017 Issue 16 Kata kata cartoon magazine
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