As the challenges of early exposure
of the African child to sex and sexuality, in the name of sex education unfolds;
acts of indecent dressing, indecent exposure, nudity and other shameful acts, steer
the society in the face. The adored African lady, noted for her consciousness and
consistent efforts, to cover her body always, has suddenly, but gradually degenerated
into a mere object of entertainment, sex exhibition, and advertisement of
nudity and immorality, appearing perennially and insatiably like one seeking
for the opportunity to offer sexual pleasure to anybody that comes across her. Her dressing speaks of nothing but deliberate
effort to arouse erotic interest, in a manner that shocks and offends the
culture, tradition and values of Africa and her people.
Issues raised in this discourse are
not intended to dispute that the patterns as expressed do not play out in many parts
of the modern world. My argument is that they are not what anybody will convince
me are the elements of human nature. The behaviours as identified are not
biologically programmed traits of the African specie of Women. They are the evidence
of the African educationists to embrace whatever the western world has embraced.
The preference for the African Women and Ladies to appear nude in public is not a result of innate nature
of the Africans, but an evolutionary programming, created, adapted and achieved
through sexual orientation referred to as “Sex education”.
Before I go further in this
discussion, I wish to recognize that Africa, like other territories of the
world has at one time or the order witnessed her own share of women who barter their
reproductive organs as means of living and access to the resources that life
can afford. But as anybody would agree this is not the focus of this discourse.
I was tempted to compare
these nude agents, with the manikin, used as teaching aid; and for product display
by fashion dealers. To my alter dismay, I observed, just as many people would may have,
that the fashion dealers, dignify the manikins, by constantly, ensuring
that they are clothed when in use, and in public glare, and when not in use, ensure
they are put away.
I became alarmed, indeed very worried
when it became clear, that the society that created the opportunity for the acts
of obscenity, irresponsibility, and dehumanization, to occur did not have a
clue of what to do, as a result is systematically disillusioned, disoriented,
dislocated and helpless to resolve the unfolding drama. Hence, my resolution to
embark on a mind journey, in search of an answer, for the abysmal performance,
that is denting the society’s ego.
The burden of my journey has its root
in the saying “Cow wey no get tail na the gods dey drive flies foram” meaning “It
is the god’s that drives away flies that flock around a Cow that has no tail”. This
is a popular saying among the Igbo speaking people of Nigeria. I have the belief, and strongly too, that the
governing forces of this universe have a way of protecting the ignoramus, who
to the best of my mind and knowledge, is at no fault that he/she does not know
too much. I hold the view also that the forces of nature equally shun the “arrogant
fellow, the over informed and over educated men and women” of today. I say this
with due respect.
Long before the introduction of sex
education in Nigerian, the now increasing cases of indecent dressing and the
show of nudity; if totally nonexistent were not very rampant. The governing
forces of the universe protected especially the little girls, who were
oblivious of the extended use to which their alluring aspects, “sensitive organs”
if you like, can be used at that age. These organs, were left bare; hence there
was no curiosity as to what the very essential organs behold.
Today, people are better educated, more
informed, and wiser. This much is testified, assumed, claimed and equally
believed by most people, day in day out. This is equally supported by assertions
in many quarters that the World has witnessed tremendous improvements in almost
all facets of human existence. Advocates of this position have attributed such improvements
and successes to cutting-edge knowledge. The fact that discussions with men and
women of older generation, points to the fact that the world if not destroyed already
has significantly deteriorated, do not seem to make much meaning to these
category of individuals.
To focus this discussion, I have
limited myself to what I perceive as the negative outcome of early exposure of
the Nigerian child to sex education. By reason of sex education, people now know
a lot as toddlers; they challenge nature when they know too little about it. Consider
for example, the fact that before the age of 10, most girls would refuse
walking outside with their breasts uncovered. They understand it is more
appealing if lipstick is applied, and that a beautiful hair will increase the
appeal.
At this age, it is already registered
in the minds of the maidens that the urinary organ could serve other useful
purpose besides passing urine; hence it must never be kept bare, particularly
before the opposite sex. Their counterparts, the boys may innocently be unaware;
that is initially, but with the degree of branding and packaging around them,
not to talk of the protective mechanisms mounted to keep them off the vital
organs, sense of curiosity, attention and devotion begins the mount.
The above, are inculcated, compounded
and consummated by the mentorship contraption, the sex orientation road-map,
prepared and instilled by the school system for better understanding of sexual
activities. The education system has done much to assert authority and defend
the inclusion of the sex mentorship programme (sex education) in the curriculum.
Unlike, some other subjects in the education curriculum, the purpose of sex
education is self-explanatory. It is wholly captured in its name. Basic
principles of suggestive programming explains this.
However, those that know the power of
branding and packaging and the interplay of these and advertising; and those in
showbiz and exhibition, understand better, the combined effects of all these promotional
tools on the way and manner that products and services are received and treated
in the market. Briefly, the objective, always is to create lasting impression, stimulate
public interest and acceptance and ultimately to generate increased demand for
products and services.
To be continued
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