According to a nationwide survey conducted in November to December and cited by Philippine Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit 30 percent of couples in the Philippines “are not aware that having sex can result in babies.” He also said many women “don’t even understand that they have a uterus” where babies are conceived.
“It’s incredulous but it’s true,” he said. “They don’t know how pregnancy happens.“
Did I place enough emphasis, boldface and italics, on those statements to get your attention? Does anyone have questions as to why the country has the fastest growing population in South-East Asia? They answered mine and added to some previously held beliefs.
The Social weather Station, in it’s report, also found only 30% use any contraception methods at all. What I find interesting is the highest percentage in contraceptive use occurs in the predominantly Muslim South of the country by a wide margin, 41% as opposed to the Luzon area at 28%. And just where do they get information on their prefered mothod? 100% is distributed via the public sector. In Luzon, the supposed “cultural center,” and center of government tops out at 70%.
It certainly appears the Muslim community leaders and government officials are doing a much better job of assisting citizens on family planning matters than the “Christian” dominated federal government. Not surprising when the Roman Catholic Church opposes government efforts to curb population growth, especially when it comes to promoting the use of artificial contraceptives.
The overriding, albeit “unofficial,” church doctrine here is “the more the marrier, the larger the flock and the fuller the plate!”
Cross posted within the Cranial Cavity
Don’t you just love Catholicism?
Comment by Andrew — 2 Mar, 2005 @ 06:55
Muslim attitudes on birth control do vary by sect (as do those of other religions). But, in general, they have approved family planning, as long as it is done only for ‘a good reason’ (timing children so a woman can wean one before having the next, etc… they don’t endorse sterilization as a birth-control method).
Comment by Kathy K — 2 Mar, 2005 @ 21:16
I saw the news but didn’t give so much attention. What is shocking to me was the statement,"many women ‘don’t even understand that they have a uterus’ where babies are conceived".
Guess the survey was done in farthest barrios where Gloria’s ‘electricity and water’ projects haven’t reached yet?
Comment by Laila* — 2 Mar, 2005 @ 21:46
Where Gloria’s “electricity and water” projects have been started shouldn’t have any effect on someone’s basic knowledge of the human body.
The first point of instruction, in this case, the parents have failed miserably. As far as where the survey was, check the Social Weather Station link I included. It should tell you all you need to know.
Comment by Marc — 2 Mar, 2005 @ 23:53
An unbelievable statistic!
Comment by Fabian — 3 Mar, 2005 @ 19:37
“It’s incredulous but it’s true,” he said. “They don’t know how pregnancy happens.”
I am incredible about that statement.
Comment by expat@large — 4 Mar, 2005 @ 09:56