SHOULD SEX EDUCATION BE TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS? --- group discussion

          

Do’s and Don’ts of Group Discussion:

(i)         Speak on your turn, without being eager, anxious or interfering when others are speaking.

(ii)        Keep eye contact with all other participants while speaking.

(iii)       Initiating the GD is a big advantage. But keep in mind to initiate the group discussion       only when you understood the GD topic clearly and have some topic knowledge.        Speaking without proper subject knowledge is bad impression. It should be done if an           opportunity to do so arrives, without being dominating. If you are the initiator, assume all          responsibilities that go with it, the foremost being to ensure that the GD runs smoothly.

(iv)       Always speak clearly and confidently. Use simple and appropriate words while speaking. Don’t be too aggressive if you disagree with someone. You need not answer others, but give your opinion on the given topic. Remember, it is a GD, not a debate.

(v)        In case the group is distracting from the topic or goal then simply take initiative to bring    the discussion on the track. Make all group members aware that you all need to come to          some conclusion at the end of the discussion. So stick to the topic. Digression is to be   avoided.

(vi)       Keep positive body language. Show interest in discussion. Do not look askance when        someone is speaking.

(vii)      Do not speak just to increase your speaking time. Don’t worry even if you speak less.        Your thoughts should be sensible and relevant instead of irrelevant speech. But keep the            points ready and in sequence so that you say all you want to say. Conclude your speech            with your view for or against.

(viii)     Speak less and listen more! Pay attention to what others are speaking. This will help you   avoid repetition, and make you get involved in the group positively. You will surely        make people agree with you.

(ix)       Some basic subject analysis is sufficient. There is no need to mention exact figures while   giving any reference. Since you have limited time, be precise and convey your thoughts          in short and simple language.

How to Prepare for the GD

            Since group discussions are knock out rounds, it is necessary to prepare well which will add to your self-confidence, but never make the mistake of considering any participant weak. Some important tips to prepare for GD are given below:

(i)         You must endeavour to have a reasonable knowledge of the major topics of current           national and international interest. For this you need to read regularly standard   newspapers and career magazines.

(ii)        Acquiring language skills is very necessary because if you are unable to express what you know, others will not come to know anything about your knowledge.

(iii)       Communication skills are the most important attribute of a manager. These skills include   listening and articulation skills. The organizers look for the candidate’s keenness and      ability to listen to others. Remember, good communication is about speaking a lot, in a           stylish accent, or in using bombastic words. Simple are clear expression is always impressive. So develop these skills in right earnest.

(iv)       You must develop the ability to support your views with convincing arguments. This skill can be developed by having mock GD sessions with your friends, or by joining an            institute.

(v)        There should not be hesitation in speaking before a number of people. If you are nervous   or hesitant you will forget what you know and cut a sorry figure. Practicing speaking before a mirror helps.

(vi)       Going through a number of GD sessions mock or real, gives you the experience and           confidence to tackle the GD round.

(vii)      Teams skills are very important for the GD. These include listening to others, being able    to handle points of view different from yours, getting across your point of view without       appearing to be aggressive.

(viii)     In case you plan to initiate the GD, acquire the skill to take the lead if you have a good     knowledge of the given topic. Make a note of major points so that you may conclude at           the end.

The GD

            The candidates in the present GD are given Chest Numbers from 1 to 8. They are seated in a semicircle so that they can observe one another and respond to the views expressed by anyone in the group. No one addresses the other by name, and each participant is addressed by his/her Chest Number.

            The examiner announces the topic to the participants: “Should sex education be taught in the schools?” He asks them to complete the group task within 40 minutes and withdraws from the scene. He conveniently seats himself away from them but at a place from where he can observe them and hear them express their views. As soon as the examiner retires from the hall, there are whispers and cross-talks. Some ask their adjoining participants, left or right, about the purport of the topic. After a minute or two, after some whispering and uncertainty as to who will speak first, No.3 takes the lead role and says: “Let us not waste time in side-talks. There is a time limit and we must get things going.” There was silence as everyone started looking at him. No.6 who was sitting opposite to No.2 said, “You’re quite right! And now since you have taken this initiative, you should speak first.” All others nodded in confirmation.

            No.3: OK guys! I believe that sexual education is very important to learn. Since it needs to be taught at a young age, schools are the best place to do so. With the development of society and liberalization under the western thoughts, boys and girls are coming closer to each other and some may mistakes if they start having sex, in terms of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted disease, including AIDS. For a healthy living young boys and girls need to be taught sex education in schools.

            Comments: No.3 has shown leadership qualities by initiating the GD. He has expressed his views clearly and succinctly. He has a good chance to move ahead in the selection process.

            No.7: According to me, teaching sex education to young boys and girls will only encourage them to indulge in sex at a tender age and create a lot of problems for themselves, their parents and society at large. I condemn it.

            Comments: No.7 has been emotional in expressing his views. Instead of weighing the pros and cons of the situations he has criticized the idea in strong words. This is not the way to approach a GD. He is likely to be rejected.

            No.1: I am of the opinion that sex education should not be taught in school because teachers should not be teaching kids about sex in schools. Instead the kids’ parents should be teaching them about sex and about all of the body parts. It seems weird for schools to teach little kids about sex where they go to learn other subjects. Light information about things may be given, but not regular teaching about sex, for otherwise they may get spoilt and start watching pornography which is available on the net.

            Comments: No.1 has spoken well giving his views cogently and supporting them with convincing arguments. He may get a chance to move ahead in the selection process.

            No.6: Many schools in the West are no longer giving sex-education in schools. Unfortunately, most parents are uncomfortable to talk to their kids about sex. Hence, youngsters end up getting incorrect information from the internet. In my opinion, teenagers must receive proper information about safe sex practices before they engage in sexual practices.

            According to me the only true way to stop the spread of sexually related diseases and maladies was abstinence until marriage. Public schools instead try to promote “safe” sex practices, but that continues to fall in our society. That is why I think sexual education should not be taught.

            Comments: No.6 has spoken with aplomb, giving convincing arguments. His participation though short is OK. Much will depend how other participants fare in their turn.

            No.5: I am not ready to accept what is going on in other societies like those of the west. We are Indians; we are different. We have to do what is good for us. We are conservative people. We don’t want that our kids should start thinking about sex instead of concentrating on their studies. Sex related crime is already on the rise in our country. Sex education will make young boys and girls more free to indulge in sexual activities. I strongly oppose the view. That’s all guys!

            Comments: The candidate has painted a negative picture. Instead of weighing the situation he kept on pressing his one-sided view. The words like “I am not ready to accept …” should not be used in a GD. Perhaps he lacks experience. He has little chance of going ahead.

            No.2: To me this is not a topic to be given to prospective managers. What have they to do with all this stuff of sex education in schools? There are hundreds of other meaningful topics. I have no opinion on the given topic.

            Comments: The candidate has made the mistake of challenging the efficacy of the discussion which is quite wrong. Once a topic has been given, the candidates have to discuss it. He will be rejected outright.

            No.4: It is the parents’ job to teach their child about sex, not schools’. I personally don’t think the school should get involved in it at all. If children get involved in a sex scandal the school will earn a bad name. So there is big no from me.

            Comments: The participation of No.4 is not up to the mark. Instead of saying something new and useful on the topic in hand, he brings an unimportant point of sex scandal, which is not likely at school level.

            No.8: School is the place that people go to learn facts, including scientific facts. Sexual reproduction is also a scientific fact, and there is vital information about the process that is not necessarily known to all parents. There is no point in leaving out this system when teaching about the human body. I also feel that there is no better place to get factual information about the sexual process than a biology class. If parents want to talk about the moral aspects of sex with their children, then that is something that should be done outside the classroom, which will be an additional information, and save our children from going astray once they have known what sex is all about. Inside the classroom all facts—no matter how distasteful or embarrassing some people think they should be discussed. I am sure if we discussed more natural processes in this way we wouldn’t have so many societal problems.

            Most teens know little about sex and some parents think that it is too touchy of a subject to talk about to their children. Many teens from grades 9-12 have sex, and half of them do not know anything about contraceptives or sex in general. What they are taught in sex education classes will provide them with knowledge that they need to have concerning sexual intercourse. Because the teen pregnancy is becoming an issue, teens should have to go through a mandatory sex education classes in high school. Although students think that they know everything about sex, yet actually they do not and they need to be taught properly about sex and contraceptives to prevent pregn2ancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

            Comments: No.8 has presented his views well explaining the importance of sex education and how parents can impart moral knowledge on their children. His ideas and confidence were admirable. He will sure go to the next round.

            When all the participants had spoken, No.3 concludes the GD.

            Comments: This GD is now concluded within the allotted time. I thank all the candidates for their participation. On the basis of views expressed by the participants we can conclude that sex education is important like education and knowledge about other scientific facts. Parents can give a knowledge about moral conduct to their children once they have learnt about sex, which will prevent them from going astray. Society will be better served with children who have this knowledge. I once again thank all participants for being part of this GD.

            Concluding Comments: In this GD, No.8 is the best of the lot. He explained why sex education should be given in schools and how parents can contribute in terms of imparting knowledge about morals. No.3 who initiated the GD also gave his opinion clearly and convincingly. They both are selected. No.1 also spoke with aplomb, but his chances depend on the number of participants who move ahead. If there is another position he will be taken. Others lack GD skills as well as knowledge of the topic, and are hence rejected