Social justice, sexual education, the need of our times – Social justice, sexual education, the need of our times | 30 November 2023 | UPSC Daily Editorial Analysis

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What's the article about?

  • It talks about the importance of social justice education and sexual education in creating a healthy democratic society.

Relevance:

  • GS1: Indian Society
  • GS2: Social Justice
  • Essay

Context:

  • Caste and gender are the deepest social cleavages in Indian society. The intersection of these two social identities can have a devastating impact on the lives of adolescents/young adults in Indian schools and colleges.
  • This article argues that education for social justice and sexuality are essential to address this issue and to create a healthy society.

Analysis:

  • Role of education:
    • Education for democracy: In a hierarchical society, it is difficult to create well-functioning democratic institutions based on equal rights for everyone. Education for democracy can help to create a more just and equitable society by teaching students about their rights and responsibilities as citizens.
    • Education for critical thinking: Critical thinking is an essential skill for democracy. It allows us to question our own beliefs and assumptions, and to think independently about complex issues. Education for critical thinking can help us to challenge social injustice and to create a more just society.
    • Education for empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It is an essential skill for building relationships and creating a more compassionate society. Education for empathy can help us to understand the lives of others and to build bridges across social divides.

Vulnerability and social justice:

  • As a child enters adolescence, he realises that vulnerability is not only because of one’s physical frailties but also because of social and economic settings in life.
  • Recognising this aspect of vulnerability is a key step in attaining social justice.
  • Education should remove the narcissistic tendencies that we may develop in our desire to control others, particularly women and the weak.
  • Thus, children develop compassion and raise a supporting and critical voice for the weak.

Role of teachers in social justice education:

  • Teachers are vital in enabling social justice education.
  • Teachers should understand and accept that social justice education is essential for a well-functioning democracy.
  • Teacher absenteeism, blaming children for a lack of learning potential, discouraging children and physically abusing them are all outcomes of this lack of faith in social justice education.
  • If a teacher realises his/her agency in democratic education, then the teacher finds suitable pedagogy to teach social justice; this is because society is the workshop, and the academic material, the guiding path.
  • Sexual education: Sexual education is an important aspect of social justice education. It can help to prevent sexual abuse and risky sexual behavior, and to promote healthy relationships. Sexual education can also help to reduce stigma and discrimination against LGBTQA+ people.
  • Role of government: The government has a responsibility to provide education for social justice and sexuality. This includes providing funding for these programs, as well as training teachers and developing curriculum materials.

Way Forward:

  • Social justice education and sexual education are essential for creating a healthy democratic society. By teaching students about their rights, responsibilities, and the importance of empathy, we can create a more just and equitable society for all.



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