It has always been an exciting as well as a tasking enterprise addressing youths of Igbo parentage on sexuality. Each time such duty calls, one has to conduct a thorough research and where of paramount importance interact with some individuals.
Doing so does not imply I am aloof from my society, neither is it indicative of a blank slate. Rather, it is to forestall emphasizing virginity among mothers.
Here issues are handled via a latitudinal approach. You will have to permeate the already conscripted minds of the male folk, talk on how to identify Mr Right, how to keep him and how not to lose him.
The ladies will of course ask questions with conspicuous answers and expect a different reply. In rare cases some people might be stern in their looks, suggesting admonitions like, "that is a no- go-area." Nevertheless, the manner with which you handle these situations determines, to a great extent, your success.
Today, after a forty-minute speech on "Contemporary Youths and the Mass Media" at Nnewi, one pretty lady who rocked a Yemi Alade hairstyle walked up to me for some clarification.
"Sir, while you were speaking you stressed the dangers of pornography among youths. Please I wish to know, will you permit that among couples, bearing in mind they remained chaste before marriage?"
She reminded me of my childhood morning assembly recitations with the way she spoke those words.
Besides, I expected similar questions so I asked her: through what means is pornography made available? How morally sound is it?
She was still thinking of what to say when I started enumerating to her the intricacies of bringing such things into being. And also the effects on the society, not just from a moral perspective but also, from a socioeconomic stance.
She listened with rapt attention, looking straight at me and nooding intermittently. Her face seemed like one who was listening to a lecture on quantum physics. Like someone correcting a misconception.
After my bit by bit explanation, she thanked me and added, "I think you really have to visit my village during this year's August Meeting. Will you?"
"I'll think about that and get back to you."
We exchanged contacts.
As she left, I thought about her mother. About her father. About her parents. And about poor sexual orientation.