CSE and MCC: Are We Being Heard or Just Caught in the Middle?

In the Philippines, debates about Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and the Magna Carta of Children (MCC) have intensified. These policies aim to address critical issues affecting Filipino youth—but are we, the very people they aim to protect, being given a real voice in these conversations?

On one hand, they seek to address real-world problems like teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse, and gender discrimination. On the other, they risk clashing with the values rooted in our faith, family, and culture—values that define who we are as Filipinos. As these debates rage on, it feels like teens like me are caught in the middle, pulled between the need for empowerment and the desire to preserve the principles we’ve been taught since birth.

There is no denying the urgency behind the push for CSE. The statistics are alarming: 1,000 teenage girls give birth every day in the Philippines (POPCOM, 2022). This issue isn’t just about numbers—it’s about lives. Many young people find themselves in situations where they don’t know how to protect themselves or make informed decisions, and this lack of knowledge has consequences.

Comprehensive Sexuality Education could provide teens with the tools to safeguard themselves. Teaching concepts like consent could help us recognize and avoid abusive situations, while education on reproductive health could prevent unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It’s not just about avoiding problems—it’s about preparing us for realities we cannot ignore.

For teens who feel marginalized, like those in the LGBTQ+ community, CSE could foster acceptance and understanding. A 2021 study by the Philippine Commission on Women revealed that 1 in 4 LGBTQ+ youth experience bullying in schools (PCW, 2021). Education could play a role in lowering these statistics and promoting respect for diversity.

Yet, these arguments must be weighed against the concerns of families and religious communities. The Philippines is a predominantly Christian nation, with about 80% of the population identifying as Catholic (Pew Research Center, 2020). Many families hold firmly to the belief that sex is a sacred act reserved for marriage. To parents and church leaders, CSE may feel like an intrusion—a program that could inadvertently undermine the moral and spiritual lessons taught at home.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has raised concerns that CSE could promote a permissive culture and normalize behaviors that go against Filipino family and religious values (CBCP, 2020). These concerns deserve careful consideration because our faith is not just a set of rules; it’s a foundation for how we live and make decisions.

The MCC raises similar questions. While it aims to protect children, some provisions could lead to conflicts between families and the State. For example, the idea that the government could override parental authority in healthcare or gender identity decisions feels unsettling. In Filipino culture, family is not just a support system—it is central to our identity. If the MCC erodes the role of parents, it risks creating more division than unity.

Discipline is another point of contention. Growing up, I’ve been taught that discipline is part of love, a way for parents to guide their children toward what is right. Proverbs 13:24 says, “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.” While no child enjoys being scolded or disciplined, many of us understand that it comes from a place of care and reason.

However, the MCC’s broad definition of violence could criminalize traditional forms of discipline. This raises a difficult question: How do we strike a balance between protecting children from harm while also respecting cultural practices? Research from the American Psychological Association (APA, 2019) highlights the long-term emotional effects of physical discipline and abuse. However, some forms of physical discipline barely even border on physical abuse. How can we integrate this without alienating parents who only want what’s best for their children?

The heart of the issue is balance. CSE could work in the Philippines, but only if it is adjusted to respect the cultural and religious values that shape our nation. For example, the curriculum could emphasize abstinence as the ideal while also providing accurate, age-appropriate information for those who might face challenging situations. It could focus on universal values like respect, responsibility, and compassion—principles that align with both modern education and our faith.

The Department of Education (DepEd) has already taken steps in this direction by piloting CSE modules tailored to the Philippine context (DepEd, 2021). This effort shows promise, but it needs to be refined with input from parents, educators, and faith leaders to ensure it reflects our unique identity as Filipinos.

Similarly, the MCC must strengthen families rather than undermine them. Instead of positioning the State as the primary authority over children, the law should support parents by providing resources and guidance. This partnership would allow families to address modern challenges while staying true to their beliefs.

As Filipino teens, we are not just the passive recipients of these policies; we are the ones who will live with their consequences. We want to grow up in a society that equips us with the knowledge and skills to face life’s challenges, but we also want to stay rooted in the values of faith, family, and community that make us who we are.

To policymakers, educators, and leaders, I ask: Please listen to us. Hear our fears, our hopes, and our ideas. We are not just statistics or subjects of debate. We are the future of this nation—a generation striving to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity.

Let’s build a Philippines where progress and tradition walk hand in hand. After all, what good is a bridge if it leaves behind the foundations that make it strong?

References:

Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM). (2022). Teenage Pregnancy in the Philippines: A Growing Concern.

Philippine Commission on Women (PCW). (2021). LGBTQ+ Youth Bullying in Schools. 

Pew Research Center. (2020). Religious Composition of the Philippines. 

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). (2020). Statement on Comprehensive Sexuality Education. 

American Psychological Association (APA). (2019). The Effects of Physical Discipline on Children. 

Department of Education (DepEd). (2021). CSE Pilot Implementation Report. 

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