Zero Tolerance Against Free Sex- Is It Really Effective?

The National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN) have organized a GenRe (Generation Plan) program in order to prevent premarital sex among the young generation in Indonesia. There are three main focuses within the GenRe program: zero tolerance against free sex, Napza utilization and the precaution of new HIV infections.

The GenRe program is expected to develop awareness among teenagers so that they won’t be having sex without consideration, by providing socialization as well as education concerning sexual intercourse. So far the program has been implemented in schools, at university/ academy, as well as in social institutions and communities that aim to prepare a better future for teens.

Looking at this program, it can be concluded that the government has no tolerance concerning free sex, which is understandable as sex issues are still considered as taboo in Indonesia. However, the high rate of young people having sex can’t be denied either. Therefore, it is important for the government as well as for parents to educate and to provide solutions regarding sex issues. The desire to have sex basically exists in every individual, so in our opinion it would be good for the government and parents to also advocate safe sex. We always say: “If you’re old enough to have sex, you’re old enough to have safe sex” and that is true for young people all over the world.  We are not advocating free sex- we all hope to find a true love that lasts forever- but at the same time we need to be realistic: a lot of young people will have sex before they get married anyway, so provide them with the correct information about HIV/AIDS and how they can protect themselves, just in case.

Because in the end, it’s the teenagers themselves who decide what will they do with the information given –it’s not up to us or to the government to make these decisions for them.

So, give them the information that they need and let them decide wisely!