Women in China who have sex before marriage are “degenerates,” according to a recently approved sexual education textbook in China.

Premarital sex also has “tremendous negative psychological and physical impact on girls,” according to the book.

These are a couple of the shocking array of regressive and harmful ideas about sexuality that can be found within the book.

And, tellingly, no real admonishments are directed at men. In fact, men are referred to as “conquerors” in the book, echoing perspectives that flourished centuries ago when women were deprived of all sorts of rights.

This textbook is bad enough on its own terms, but its damage is made worse by the dearth of quality sexual education in China.

As the New York Times notes, “Teenagers often talk about how their parents explained to them as children that they emerged from armpits, or even from trash cans.” Sexual education tends to be limited to anatomy and girls are encouraged to be abstinent.

In the 21st century, all students deserve a comprehensive and open-ended sexual education that allows them to better understand their bodies and desires and to confidently navigate the social pressures and situations they will face.

This involves clearly explaining what sexuality is, allowing peer-to-peer conversations about the many topics sexuality entails, and providing advice on how to engage in safe sex, especially how to access contraceptives.

The benefits of this approach cannot be overstated and are particularly felt by women. (For some progressive examples, go here.)

Women who receive a full sexual education are less likely to have unwanted pregnancies, contract infectious diseases such as HIV, and they are more likely to feel empowered against sexual violence.

Women who avoid early pregnancies and marriage are more likely to receive higher educations and better-paying and more fulfilling careers.

Men and women come to feel more comfortable with who they are, tend to form healthier relationships and take better care of their bodies.

Abstinence-only education has been shown to fail time and time again.

The recently approved textbook in China has no place in any classroom. If the country really wants to improve sexual outcomes for its children, it has to open up the conversation on sex and start using facts.

No more students, especially girls, can be burdened with shame and falsehoods. The stigma surrounding sexuality has to be dismantled.