This article talks about various secrets that women might hide, such as infidelity, domestic violence, and involvement in certain services, despite maintaining a calm appearance as wives, mothers, or everyday women. It focuses on a specific case where a couple, despite wanting to have a baby, used condoms every time they had sex. This behavior surprised many, highlighting a basic lack of sexual education.
A midwife, Rikako Mikimoto, explains that while condoms are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly, they are not foolproof. If a couple wants to get pregnant, they shouldn’t be using condoms. The couple in this case thought condoms should always be used to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, which shows a fundamental misunderstanding of sexual education.
Both partners were highly educated, but their education focused solely on subjects useful for exams, leaving out physical education, music, art, and crucially, sex education. This highlights a gap in their life skills, a common issue in Japan where sex education is often seen as taboo. This cultural aspect means many people grow up without an understanding of sex, leading to misinformation.
The article suggests that a comprehensive approach to sex education, which includes understanding how pregnancy works and the meaning of reproduction and sexual diversity, is necessary. Unfortunately, many in Japan grow up considering such discussions shameful, leading to a lack of knowledge. The couple, in their late 30s, lacked knowledge and experience regarding sex, which they found hard to discuss with others.
The piece concludes by stating that sex is an essential life skill, and the absence of adequate sex education is problematic. For further details on whether the couple eventually managed to conceive, readers are directed to another related article.
by MagazineKey4532