Not long ago, under pressure from some conservative parent groups, youth sex education books in school libraries and public libraries were discarded, sparking controversy.
As a result of deliberation by the Publication Ethics Committee, it was concluded that 67 of the 68 books they designated as harmful were harmless.
Reporter Cho Kuk-hyeon covered the story exclusively.
◀ Report ▶
On the 25th of last month, Government Complex Sejong.
Conservative parent groups held a rally demanding that some sex education books stored in schools and public libraries be destroyed.
They said that the books contained obscene illustrations and sensational content, making them dangerous for children.
[학부모 단체 관계자 (음성변조)]
″Sexual knowledge or terminology about how to have sex, pictures of sexual acts, and illustrations focusing on genitals are enough to arouse lascivious interest.″
They also put pressure on schools to immediately remove so-called “pornographic books” from their libraries.
Many schools, unable to withstand the pressure, actually discarded the sex education books they pointed out.
[초등학교 사서 교사 (음성변조)]
″There were two books at my school that were on the (“pornographic books”) list. It was just a general sex education book. We decided to discard the two volumes.″
The Publications Ethics Committee under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has begun deliberation on 68 sex education books that it has defined as “obscene and harmful books.”
In fact, it was the first time that the Publication Ethics Committee reviewed a large number of books for young people.
A book that provides answers to various sexual concerns through comics.
The organizations claimed that “the illustrations explaining the genitals were explicit and contained glorification of homosexuality,” but the result of deliberation was “no problem.”
This book, in which a famous gynecologist and a cartoonist worked together, was also subject to review because of one illustration of male and female genitals, but it also passed.
In the end, the Publication Ethics Committee concluded that 67 of the books it reviewed, excluding one, were “harmless.”
Although it is worth considering the possible negative effects claimed by organizations, the purpose is that we should not ignore the entire context and focus only on specific phrases and illustrations.
UNESCO also stated in its sex education guidelines that “sex education should be conducted in a more specific and scientific manner, and explanations of homosexuality, etc., should be provided in detail.”
The parents’ group is protesting against the Publication Ethics Committee’s decision and plans to file a lawsuit claiming invalidation of the deliberation decision.
This is Cho Kuk-hyun from MBC News.
Video coverage: Kwan-ho Lee / Video editing: Bae Jin / Data source: YouTube ‘KHTV’ / Data research: Eun-ji Choi
Tags: sex education books banned pressure single conservative group harmless
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