By Shaurya Mahajan.

A key observation by the bench, was the misconception that sex education promotes promiscuity and irresponsible behavior. Critics argue that educating youth about sexual health and contraception would encourage sexual activity. However, the court cited research showing that comprehensive sex education actually delays sexual activity and promotes safer sexual practices among teenagers. The court further rejected the belief that sex education is a “Western concept” incompatible with India’s traditional values. This misconception, the bench noted, has led some state governments to ban sex education in schools, hindering its effective implementation.

The lack of structured sexual health programs, the court added, forces adolescents to seek information from the internet, where they encounter misleading and harmful content. The bench emphasized that these misconceptions must be addressed to ensure the successful implementation of comprehensive sex education in India, ultimately fostering informed and responsible behavior among young adults.

[CASE NAME – JUST RIGHTS FOR CHILDREN ALLIANCE vs. S. HARISH]

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