by Dawn Tay

TEACH us about the emotional side of sex, not just about pregnancy and sexually-transmitted diseases, Singaporeans said in a recent survey.

The Durex Sexual Wellbeing Global Survey results released yesterday showed that only 12 per cent of Singaporeans said that they had been taught in school about the emotional aspects of sex, such as love and respect for a partner.

More than half of the 1,000 or so Singaporeans polled wished that it had been included in sex education in school.

More information on the emotional side of sex also topped the sex-education wishlist of more than 26,000 respondents aged 16 and above from 26 countries.

Experts said that sex education for youth and adults should also cover the emotional aspect of sex, like emotional intimacy and relationship values.

Ms Chong Cheh Hoon, senior vice-president of Focus On The Family Singapore, has counselled many young adults who felt "immense emotional and psychological pain when a relationship is too focused on sex".

They must be taught how to build healthy relationships, and to trust and respect their partners, she said.

Dr Carol Balhetchet, Singapore Children's Society's director of youth services, said that some teenagers are unaware that sex is an emotional commitment. Teaching them how to respect and love others and themselves could curb the problem of teenage pregnancy, she added.

Most people have few avenues for advice on sex and its emotional intricacies, said marketing manager Daniel Chong.

The 28-year-old said: "We had biology class, and that was it. How do you teach a teenager with raging hormones to differentiate between what is love and what isn't?"

dawnt@sph.com.sg

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