KUCHING: Dr Razitasham Safi, a public health medicine specialist from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), has stressed the significance of educating children about sexuality and instilling proper values as essential aspects of parenting.
Speaking to an audience of some 200 participants, Razitasham highlighted that parents play a pivotal role in teaching their children about sexuality and human body parts, creating an environment where children can learn and understand such topics at home.
Parenting skills, she stressed, are crucial, advising parents to both compliment and educate their children about sexuality.
“Compliment your children, tell them that they look wonderful and beautiful. Don’t publicly shame them. We must teach them and explain to them about their human body parts.
“When a lack of parental supervision happens, it comes back to us (parents) and when the education is no good, (then) this could be one of the contributions to their social problem,” she said when giving a lecture on ‘Parenting on Sexuality’, on today (Aug 17) at Tun Salahuddin Islamic Centre, Unimas.
Razitasham also underlined the importance of teaching children about boundaries in relationships, particularly when teenage boys and girls are alone in the same setting.
“You should not allow your teenage boy or girl into the same home. So remember for those parents, you must know the boundaries of their relationships.”
She further explained that in addition to educating children about sexuality, fostering values as they grow older is equally important.
Razitasham cautioned parents to be vigilant about their children’s surroundings and to be cautious of events involving teachers, especially those that involve one-on-one interactions outside of school premises.
She was touching on several past rape cases between students and teachers.
The lecture was officiated by Sarawak Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
Also in attendance were Unimas Board of Directors chairman Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Sulong Matjeraie; Prof Dr Al-Khalid Othman, deputy vice-chancellor for student and alumni affairs; and Prof Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit, deputy vice-chancellor for academic and international affairs.
