A review on the role of Indian Education System in delimiting the Cultural Perspectives of Menstruation

Abstract

The stages of adolescence unfold developmental changes promoting sexual growth of a child in terms of physiology and behavior. Menstruation is a physiological change undergone by the adolescent girls at the onset of puberty. Although it occurs naturally yet menstruation and other associated sexual changes are often considered as taboos in the Indian society. Moreover, cultural perspectives on menstruation have compelled the adolescent girls to accept these sexual changes as unkempt and filthy.Public speaking on sex associated matters is also considered to be unscrupulous. Therefore, Family Life Education (FLE) has remained a topic of great controversy when proposed at the school level. The National Curriculum Framework (NCF), 2005 has emphasized on the need of social and emotional support for the adolescents highlighting the social stereotypes of boys and girls. The objective of this context focuses on analyzing critically how the education system of India aids in transfiguring the menstruation associated perspectives of the society through sex education.

Keywords- Family life education; Menstruation; National Education Policy; National Curriculum Framework; Adolescence; Puberty