Values and Educational Strategies for Sex and Men's Health
III. Values Regarding Sex and Men's Health
Men's health, with reproductive health as its core content, is based on a people-centered scientific development perspective. This lays the theoretical foundation for establishing correct values.
When advocating for sexual health and men's well-being, there are several related issues that cannot be ignored.
First, understanding the past helps establish scientific sexual attitudes. Human sex and sexual behavior have a dual nature: on one hand, they are biological attributes inherited from the species; on the other hand, they are social attributes reflecting genus dominance. Therefore, since the emergence of humankind, sex has been heavily imbued with cultural significance. Throughout history, with the development of productive forces, various forms of sexual attitudes and social control over sex have emerged in different historical stages and social forms. However, it should be remembered that each step in the development of sexual attitudes and social control over sex is not isolated; it profoundly reflects the civilization and progress of human society. Therefore, understanding the past and using historical experience to regulate our behavior is particularly important.
Currently, my country is in a period of socio-economic transformation, and sexual attitudes, behaviors, and dominant social control all bear the strong characteristics of this transition. Sexual attitudes and behaviors exhibit clear transitional, complex, diverse, subconscious conformity, and anti-social pathological aspects. However, the mainstream reflects scientific, civilized, and progressive marriage and childbearing concepts and a new reproductive culture that align with the direction of social progress. Faced with such a complex and diverse world, it is essential to possess keen discernment, stay away from temptations, and maintain correct attitudes and values, especially for men. This requires people to consciously break free from erroneous ideas, establish scientific concepts that conform to the spirit of the times, readily embrace good, and adhere to the principle of "not refraining from small acts of kindness, nor committing small acts of evil," so as to live a healthier, better, and happier life and maintain the stability of marriage and family and the progress of social civilization.
Secondly, it is crucial to popularize scientific knowledge and improve men's understanding. Knowledge is power and the foundation for establishing correct values. Sex is a science, and the concept of "sexual health" is built upon scientific knowledge of sex. Only by mastering certain scientific knowledge can one possess sufficient self-discipline. Numerous clinical studies show that many men, including those with higher education, lack knowledge about sex and sexual health; some may have some understanding, but it is often very limited. Cases caused by ignorance and foolishness are not uncommon; many illnesses stem from a lack of basic knowledge and common sense, and some are even misled by ignorance or superstition. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to widely and deeply promote scientific education on men's health. Currently, the family planning system has well-established service institutions. Utilizing existing human, material, and physical resources to intersperse this education and consultation service is a logical step. Making popular education and consultation services a regular practice, rather than a sporadic effort, will better enable men to seek medical attention at any time, thus improving their overall health.
Thirdly, select appropriate locations and effectively carry out promotional work. Men's health is not just a slogan; it encompasses a wealth of professional content that is difficult for non-professionals to understand and grasp. Furthermore, men's health has a unique meaning and is not a generalized concept of health, which makes it even more specialized.
Men's health is not simply a medical issue; it encompasses at least three aspects: physiological, psychological, and social integrity (also known as adaptability or capacity). Each of these aspects has its own specific implications. For example, male sexual psychological disorders, male-specific organic diseases and psychological adjustment, and issues such as erectile dysfunction (ED) and infertility all require specialized guidance and services. Social integrity, on the other hand, includes men's family responsibilities, their participation in family planning, their attitudes towards women, and related moral and value systems. These aspects are best promoted by family planning departments; it is an irreplaceable professional responsibility of other relevant departments.
The goal of in-depth publicity is to raise public awareness, ensure accurate understanding and grasp of the meaning and specific content of men's health, and gain social recognition and support. However, the word "health" is extraordinary; it is an indispensable professional term in the medical and health industry. Therefore, publicity on men's health must be appropriate and targeted, avoiding overstepping boundaries and potential misunderstandings.
Fourth, men's health should be incorporated into family planning work and carried out concurrently with the campaign to promote new marriage and childbearing customs in every household. Promoting men's health is an integral part of the ten aspects of building a new reproductive culture, not a separate entity. At least six aspects of this new reproductive culture are related to men's health, such as "husbands have a responsibility in family planning," "having a son or a daughter is equally good, daughters also carry on the family line," "gender equality and respect for women," "enhancing self-reproductive health and capabilities," "pursuing a high quality of family life," and "emphasizing a healthy lifestyle and upholding family virtues." Incorporating men's health into family planning work and carrying it out concurrently with the campaign to promote new marriage and childbearing customs in every household is both legitimate and appropriate.
Fifth, addressing urgent needs, the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) has become a top priority in my country's reproductive health field. STDs are spreading rapidly in my country. According to health department data, my country's AIDS epidemic has entered its first high-incidence and high-mortality period. Furthermore, experts predict that by 2010, the number of AIDS patients in my country will reach tens of millions. If this is the case, it will pose a serious threat to the health, mortality rate, and overall quality of the population. Therefore, strengthening prevention and treatment has become an important task in maintaining the health of the entire population. Among these, maintaining men's health is of paramount importance. While the prevention and treatment of STDs and AIDS are theoretically the responsibility of the medical and health departments, the spread of STDs and AIDS is closely related to people's sexual behavior and even maternal and infant reproduction. It is a major issue that reproductive health needs to address, and it is also part of maintaining marital happiness and improving the quality of family life. These all fall within the scope of building a new reproductive culture. Therefore, it is not an overreach for the family planning system to assist the medical and health departments in prevention and public education; rather, it is an undeniable responsibility.
Given that men's health has become a part of the daily lives of the Chinese people, and that our level of civilization has improved significantly, these humble words are a tribute to this progress!