A Critique
AWARE CSE - Comprehensive Sexuality Education

This is an attempt to look at AWARE's Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) as laid out in their Basic Instructor Guide (version 3, released in July 2008) which serves as a framework for the facilitation of their workshops. The Instructor Guide is henceforth referred to as IG here.


Ice-breaking activity (IG, pages 11-12) - Module 2

Students (in groups) are asked to generate words associated with sexuality and sex and then categorize them into three categories – positive/neutral/negative. Alternatively, students can refer to the words on Page 2 of their workbook and categorize those words.

The latter method of conducting this ice-breaking activity seems to recognize that some students may lack knowledge in these areas. This is confirmed by the note to the trainer (IG, page 15):

"In the event that the workshop participants are 12-13 year olds, trainers must take the lead in explaining the meaning of the terms used. Do not assume that the participants know/are aware of what contraceptives, oral sex or anal sex means. Take the time to explain the terms and in the event of lack of time, do not attempt to facilitate discussion on each word on the list."

This is imparting knowledge i.e., educating which is good.


Debrief of ice-breaking activity (IG, pages 12-15)

The following is the suggested categorization of words (IG, page 13).

Positive	Neutral	Negative
Pleasure Fun Orgasm Love Foreplay Condom	Homosexual Sexy Pre-marital sex Anal sex Virginity Pill	Pain Teenage pregnancy Rape Violence Drugs HIV/AIDS STI Power

I presume these words are the same words on Page 2 of their workbook.

According to the IG, there are no absolute answers, as it depends on the context. The IG goes on to explain why the words should be in these particular categories. Text in red is taken verbatim from the IG.

1. Anal sex - can be healthy or neutral if practised with consent and with a condom.


Anal sex often refers to the sex act involving the insertion of the penis into the anus. This seems to be the reference in the IG as the use of the condom is recommended.

Historically, anal sex has been associated with male homosexuality - men having sex with men. It is probably practised to some degree among the heterosexual population in Singapore. By the way, anal sex can also be extended to include other sexual acts such as anilingus (anal-oral contact) and fingering (of the anus).

Anal sex is a comparatively high risk sexual behaviour due to the thin lining of the rectum and the septic nature of the anus. Even with the use of a condom, anal sex can be risky as condoms are more likely to tear during anal sex than during vaginal sex. Therefore, anal sex is not neutral and definitely not healthy! If you still choose to practise anal sex with a condom then you are toying with danger.

Fifteen minutes is allocated to Module 2 (IG, page 7) which includes the ice-breaking activity and debrief and explanation of categorization of words associated with sexuality and sex. The IG states "Take the time to explain the terms and in the event of lack of time, do not attempt to facilitate discussion on each word on the list." But a little knowledge is a dangerous thing for teenagers because they tend to try novel experiences without considering the consequences of their actions. "Just do it" seems to resonate among teenagers.

Are students made aware that they can get HIV from anal sex? This is stated in item 18 (IG, page 15) ...

18. HIV/AIDS – HIV is a virus that is transmitted through bodily fluid transfer. This could be from unprotected sexual intercourse including oral sex and anal sex. A person does not show any symptoms when infected with HIV.

... but is this danger highlighted to students? Why categorize anal sex as healthy or neutral (1) when one can get HIV from anal sex? (2) when condoms are more likely to tear during anal sex? and (3) when one's potential sex partner does not show any symptoms of HIV even if he/she is infected?

There is speculation that AWARE has a hidden agenda behind the CSE workshops. The listing of anal sex as the first on the list of terms to be explained does not help. In any listing, there is usually a reason behind the order e.g., alphabetical order, importance, order as shown in the categories, etc. Anal sex is first on the list not because it starts with the letter "A" as the rest of the list shows that the words are not listed in alphabetical order. The listing also does not correspond to the listing in the categories. So why is anal sex the first item to be explained? Is it first in importance? Important to who ... the students? AWARE? Maybe, there is simply no reason behind the order of the listing.

2. Pre-marital sex - people might place pre-marital sex as negative, but it is really neutral. The key is whether the couple is aware of the consequences and responsibilities and is ready for them. Sex with girls under 14, with or without her consent, is considered as statutory rape. Sex with girls under 16, with or without her consent is considered as carnal connection.


The phrasing of the above statement is loaded. It sounded like "People might place pre-marital sex as negative, but (here's the truth) it is really neutral."

I have no issue with the subsequent statement ... being aware of the consequences and responsibilities and is ready for pre-marital sex ... if we ignore religions and are talking with adults. But we are living in multi-religious Singapore and the CSE workshops are targeted at teenagers as young as 12! Some religious groups view pre-marital sex as morally wrong whether or not you are aware of the consequences (e.g., pregnancy, AIDS, or STIs) and are ready to face them and bear the responsibilities. Moreover, since when are teenagers ready for the consequences and responsibilities of sex? Anybody can be a father or mother but it takes maturity and financial independence to be a parent!

Are teenagers truly aware of the consequences and responsibilities of pre-martial sex? They know they may get pregnant but do they know that have to stop school to deliver the child? Who is going to support the child financially? If you and your partner have to stop school so as to work, you will have fewer job opportunities and less income which in turn may mean fewer opportunities for the child.

3. Virginity - is a concept which is really difficult to fix, traditionally virginity is related to the hymen. But perhaps we can also think of virginity as a state of mind?


A virgin is a person who has never had sex¹. To define virginity as a state of mind takes the cake. It is saying that if you think you are a virgin then you are a virgin. Our mind (what we think or believe) does not determine or change reality!

Have the content developers (and auditors) of the IG considered the likely impact of "virginity is a state of mind" on teenagers - those who had sex, those having sex and those who have not had sex?

¹ We would have to define "sex". In its biological and traditional sense, "sex" is the act in which the penis enters the vagina. But in today's world, shouldn't we extend its meaning to include oral sex and anal sex?

5. Fun – sex is meant to be fun. However, like all things that we enjoy, there are some rules and regulations for sex, which you must set for your self first. Then you must also know what your partner feels and whether he has a different motivation for sex than you have. Also, you need to be able to trust the person in order to have 'fun' with him. Will he stand by you in case things go wrong?


Yes, sex can be a pleasurable act but to say (to teenagers) that sex is meant to be fun is irresponsible because teenagers are attracted to fun and excitement. Moreover, sex is more than pleasure, it is also meant for procreation. The IG does mention teenage pregnancy in item 14 (IG, page 14) ...

14. Teenage pregnancy – pregnancy is one of the major life events in a couples’ /woman’s life. Being prepared emotionally, financially and physically helps her to have a successful pregnancy and motherhood. A teenager might not be prepared for pregnancy and motherhood, which makes it a stressful event.

8. Foreplay – Foreplay is the physical and sexual stimulation (kissing, touching, stroking, etc.) that occurs in the excitement stage of the sexual response before intercourse or without intercourse. Foreplay increases the pleasure of sex.


All true but inappropriate for teenagers without warning them that foreplay encourages sex. Foreplay arouses our hormones and passion; when caught in such a state of arousal, rational thoughts go out the window and you want to go all the way to culmination in sexual intercourse and/or orgasm so much so that all the skills practice on abstaining from sex (IG, page 28) or even negotiating condom usage (IG, page 29) are probably futile!

The statement "foreplay increases the pleasure of sex" is perfectly fine in a marriage preparation course or a workshop for married couples but in a workshop for teenagers, it is inappropriate because it indirectly promotes pre-marital sex!

10. Homosexual – people have different preferences for their partners. Homosexuality is perfectly normal. Just like heterosexuality, it is simply the way you are. Homosexuals also form meaningful relationships, and face the same emotional issues that heterosexuals do. The Singapore law does not recognize homosexuality and deems homosexual sexual activities as unnatural.


Homosexuality exists, that is a fact. Homosexuality is perfectly normal, that is a value judgment. I defined "homosexuality" as sexual acts with a person of the same gender.

The statement "Homosexuality ... is simply the way you are" is still unproven. Debate continues over what biological and/or psychological variables influence sexual orientation in humans, such as genes and the exposure of certain levels of hormones to fetuses. Even if homosexuality is the way you are, does that mean you do not have a choice and that you can't help it?

The Singapore law mentioned above is Section 377A of the Penal Code of Singapore which criminalises sex between mutually consenting adult men. It states "Any male person who, in public or private, commits, or abets the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any male person of, any act of gross indecency with another male person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 2 years."

But should law (Section 377A of the Penal Code) or society (read the majority) determine the rightness or wrongness of an act? Should a majority group impose their preferences on a minority group? There are other societies with laws different from ours. What makes their laws right and ours wrong or vice versa?

Is homosexuality wrong? What determines the rightness of an act? Because I choose to do it? Because it's fun? Because the other party agrees? Because I know the consequences? Because I'm ready to face the consequences? Because I think it's right? What if someone else thinks that the same action is wrong? What determines the rightness or wrongness of an act? That is a question worthy of contemplation.

What's your view (IG, pages 17) - Module 3

In this module, students are asked to go through the statements on page 3 of their workbook and decide if each statement is true or false in their opinion. After 10 mins, trainers are to go through all or key statements and summarize as appropriate (see suggestions below).

We will take a look at two statements on homosexuality.

2. Homosexuality/same-sex preference (i.e. gays, homos, lesbians) is unnatural. - FALSE

   For a homosexual, heterosexuality may seem unnatural. We do not know what causes homosexuality, or heterosexuality for that matter. Some scientific studies show people are born like this. Since lesbian, gay and bisexual people are not ill or abnormal, they don't need to "cured". These are not abnormalities or perversions; they are orientations or preferences, just like being left-handed or right-handed. All people, whether they are heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual, have a right to live with dignity and in accordance with their preferences. Attempts to 'treat' them may succeed in temporarily changing sexual behaviour but also can lead to emotional and other problems.

The IG argues that homosexuality is not unnatural (i.e., it is natural) because some scientific studies show (such) people are "born like this" yet in the same paragraph it admits "we do not know what causes homosexuality".

What is "unnatural"? By definition, unnatural is "contrary to nature, not conforming to a norm, not typical, unusual". In that sense, the statement in item 2 is TRUE (i.e., homosexuality is unnatural) because heterosexuality is the norm. I accept the statement that from a homosexual's point of view, heterosexuality seems unnatural but that does not change what is the norm in nature.

Though I say homosexuality is unnatural, I am not concluding it is immoral on that basis. Under item 10 above, I raised the question of the determinant(s) of rightness or wrongness of an act and left it unanswered. As to whether lesbian, gay and bisexual people need to be "cured" that is a separate issue.

3. The chances of homosexuality increase because of childhood trauma, e.g. child sex abuse (e.g. when an older person has sex with or molests a young person with or without consent). - FALSE

   That question is as difficult to answer as 'what causes heterosexuality?' No one knows for sure. Some foolishly suggest that maybe a person turned lesbian because she had a bad experience with a man, or a man became gay because a woman mistreated him. If this were truly the case, then there should be many more lesbian and gay people, shouldn't there?

Yes, no one knows for sure what causes homosexuality. But to answer the question "What causes homosexuality?" with the question "What causes heterosexuality?" is throwing a curved ball. There is no need to explain causes of heterosexuality, it is natural but not so with homosexuality.

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