Schools encouraged to discuss dating and sex

I write with regard to the report, “Hong Kong police investigate leak of intimate photos allegedly showing basketball coach having sex with secondary school

student” (February 23). Schools should not skirt what has long been a taboo subject on campus – dating and sex. The more they try to avoid it, the more it rears its head in ugly ways.

Discussion of such cases, which often includes comments on whether the people involved were cheating on their partners, should not be muffled on campus.

Rather, schools can take the bold step of starting a conversation on the subject of “fidelity and infidelity”, a serious topic when it comes to love and dating. Instead of a dull, moralistic lecture on what they must and must not do, students should be encouraged to express their thoughts freely without any fear of judgment or criticism from teachers.

This does not mean that schools cannot take a strong stand. To inculcate the virtue of fidelity in students, for example, teachers can introduce the golden rule – the principle of treating others as one would want to be treated by them – to keep students thoughtful should temptations arise. After all, no one wants to be cheated on.

Even polyamory can be discussed. Students must be warned, however, that in a polyamorous relationship, all parties involved should have full knowledge and consent.

The scandal involving photos of actor-singer Edison Chen in 2008 epitomises the grave consequences of filming sexually explicit content. The latest episode involving a basketball coach and a student is both tragic and saddening. Everyone should learn a lesson from this.

Lee Cheuk Ming, Discovery Bay