Singapore Christian parental opinions towards comprehensive sex education and sex Ed-related Christian advocacy

Abstract

This paper examines the perspectives of Singaporean Christian parents on comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and sex education (Sex Ed) related Christian advocacy. While the American Christian Right’s vocal and militant advocacy against the implementation of CSE in schools has been well-documented, there is little research on whether Singaporean Christian parents exhibit similar opposition towards CSE and share their preferences for aggressive advocacy. Hence, this study seeks to address three key questions: (1) How do Singaporean Christian parents perceive school-based CSE? (2) How do Singaporean Christian parents view Sex Ed-related Christian advocacy? and (3) Why do Singapore Christian parents hold such opinions toward CSE and Sex Ed-related Christian advocacy? Using a primary qualitative data approach, this paper finds that Singaporean Christian parents differs from the US Christian Right in two ways: (1) their support for the content-permissive CSE approach and their (2) preference for cooperative and calibrated advocacy. This paper argues that while religion plays a key role in shaping opinions, the internalisation of Singapore’s founding ideologies of pragmatism and secularism by Singapore Christian parents play a significant role as well.