What in the World Why has badminton become code for sex in Hong Kong?
Sep 18, 2024
In Hong Kong, badminton has bizarrely become a metaphor for sexual self-control in new sex education materials. The controversial guidance suggests teenagers should play badminton instead of engaging in sexual activities, igniting debates over the understanding of young people's needs. Insights from a local journalist and a global sex educator reveal how cultural taboos influence sexual education worldwide. Meanwhile, in Nigeria, educators are creatively using social media to tackle the challenges of discussing sexual health in a culturally sensitive manner.
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Badminton Becomes Sex Code
- Hong Kong's Education Bureau released sex ed materials suggesting teenagers play badminton to resist sexual impulses.
- This unusual advice quickly went viral, making badminton a euphemism for sex.
Sex Ed Reinforces Gender Inequality
- The materials suggest girls avoid wearing sexy clothes to prevent intimate interactions.
- This reinforces existing gender inequality perceptions and places blame on young women.
Students Critique Conservative Sex Ed
- Students feel uncomfortable with conservative sex ed guidelines focusing on biology and abstinence.
- Schools avoid discussing sexuality socially, emphasizing guilt and consequences like pregnancy regret.