Vietnamese Catholics: love and education, to stop AIDS
Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) - Rapid economic development and social change in Vietnam have provoked heavy imbalances, particularly in education and human development. Traditional values, family ties and relationships within society have lost their original meaning and a practical, political leadership that can meet the new challenges is lacking. The failure of the system is demonstrated by recent research on premarital sex: the risk of spread of epidemics such as of HIV and AIDS are increasing, and affect not only those groups "at risk" but "the general population."
University students in Ho Chi Minh City have released the results of a research on "premarital sex", according to which the risk is related to behaviour and habits that increasingly belong to both " people at high and low risk of infection”. The study involved young people between 18 and 29 years and shows that: 41.4% of the population is sexually active before marriage, with sexual intercourse in 43.3% of cases. On the basis of gender, 78.3% are males and 13.5% females. 31% said they had relationships with "several" partners. 56.7% in the case of males, while 9.2% of women have relationships with several men. At least 27% of boys and 5% of the girls maintain "at risk" behaviour in the sexual sphere, while 40% of students considered it normal to have premarital sex.
In order to stem the spread, education polices focusing on sexual practices and risks involved are needed. More importantly the family values must be promoted in society. A task that sees Vietnamese Catholics as protagonists who, for years, have been developing educational programs to for young people, women and sick mothers. These include Fr. Le Quang Uy, of the Congregation of the Redemptorists in former Saigon, which has helped thousands of people taking care of their health by initiating prevention projects for HIV / AIDS and supporting families.
A university student of 21 reveals that, like many peers, she has lost "along with moral and traditional values, desire and the dream of love." A very different position from young Catholics who - in a conference - reiterated their opposition to premarital sex, because it diminishes the value of sex and love. "Christians have understood – they say - the value of the love among couples." It is "communion between humans and sign of God's love."
Priests, lay people and volunteers from the Congregation of the Redemptorists of Ho Chi Minh City today take care of 30 single mothers between 16 and 30 years of age. Brother Bao Ngoc tells AsiaNews that "meetings, prayers, masses are held”. “But medicines, doctors and psychologists are also needed to help them in their difficulties." Sister Phan Thi Thanh points her finger at local authorities, who should ensure that conditions so that "religious institutions can participate in social and educational activities."
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02/12/2004
