Puberty, Pencils, and Power: A Review of ‘ছেলেদের দুরন্ত বয়ঃসন্ধি’
Introduction
‘ছেলেদের দুরন্ত বয়ঃসন্ধি’ (Mischievous Adolescence of Boys) is a visionary comic book that tackles the often-ignored topic of male puberty and adolescent health in Bangladesh. WREETU, a non-profit organisation dedicated to comprehensive menstrual education, published the comic in December 2023, and it marks a significant expansion of their mission. In an otherwise traditional SRHR landscape in Bangladesh, in a society where discussions about puberty and sexual health are often shrouded in silence and social stigma, presenting this information in a creative, accessible, and engaging format like a comic book is not only innovative but also essential. In Bangladesh, where the primary source of SRHR knowledge for males, as found in multiple studies, is peers and the physical education book in the NCTB curriculum is often ignored, the comic book series of WREETU has had a groundbreaking impact, which is definitely reflected by the growing number of comics they’re selling.The comic’s relatable characters and narrative approach make complex and stigmatised topics for adolescents easy to understand and offer a new way to bridge the knowledge gap for young boys.
Why this book Matters
Traditionally, puberty education in Bangladesh has been either nonexistent or confined to formal, often dry, academic texts. For example, the first academic introduction to puberty knowledge for students in Bangladesh is the sixth-grade ‘Physical Education’ book, which, in many rural cases, teachers feel shy about and avoid, leading to a huge gap in SRH education. While some progress has been made in creating resources for girls, engaging content for boys remains scarce. This disparity perpetuates a harmful silence around male physical and emotional development. As a result, boys are often left to navigate the confusing changes of adolescence on their own, and unfortunately, they often rely on misinformation from peers or the internet. This lack of guidance contributes to mental health issues, social anxiety, and poor health habits. The social stigma surrounding topics like wet dreams, acne, and body hair can lead to bullying and a feeling of shame. ‘Cheleder Duronto Boyoshondhi’ directly confronts this issue by creating a safe space for dialogue. By packaging critical information within a fun and relatable story, the comic dismantles taboos and empowers boys to understand their bodies and feelings. It validates their experiences and equips them with the knowledge needed to handle this transformative phase with confidence.
Inside the Comic Book (Book Review Section)
The comic follows the story of two brothers, Shuvo and Oni, and their knowledgeable maternal uncle, Shourov, who had just completed his Master’s in Surgery from abroad. Through a birthday party conversation, Shourov adeptly guides Shuvo and his friends through the complexities of adolescence. The narrative is structured logically, starting with a clear definition of puberty and its age range for both boys and girls. The book then delves into the physical changes boys experience, such as voice cracks, body hair growth, acne, and growth spurts, providing scientific explanations about hormones. Furthermore, it thoughtfully addresses the emotional and mental changes, like mood swings and the emergence of romantic feelings, and uses personal anecdotes to make the concepts relatable. For example, while Shourov was explaining how normal it is to grow facial hair, Shuvo and his friends said, ‘We laughed at one of our friends for growing facial hair. We shouldn’t have done that,’ and upon hearing this, Shourov introduced the concept of bullying to them and narrated how harmful it is.
A significant strength of the comic is its focus on important social issues. It provides a simple yet powerful explanation of consent and its significance. The narrative seamlessly integrates practical advice, including a detailed guide on nutrition and a step-by-step tutorial on shaving. The comic handles sensitive topics like wet dreams with care and honesty, with Shourov sharing his own experience to normalise it. The illustrations are vibrant, humorous, and expressive, perfectly complementing the simple and accessible Bengali language. It truly makes the comic book an enjoyable educational tool that holds the reader’s attention from beginning to end. A major obstacle in achieving optimum accessibility of ‘Cheleder Duronto Boyoshondhi’ would be its selling price, which is BDT 280/-. Such a high price for a knowledge product makes it automatically inaccessible to people from lower wealth quintiles in rural areas, which is, in fact, the key target area for the comic.
Relevance to SRHR in Bangladesh
This comic aligns perfectly with the mission of Share-Net Bangladesh (SNBD), which focuses on knowledge management, inclusivity, and bridging SRHR gaps. By creating an accessible and culturally relevant resource for boys, the comic directly contributes to a more inclusive SRHR landscape. It is a powerful knowledge product for parents, teachers, and youth club leaders to have significant discussions. The theme of the comic touches on various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) in terms of health literacy, and SDG 4 (Quality Education) in the guise of a further tool for education. It also indirectly influences SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by helping to promote an even vision of puberty across all genders and subverting the gendered norm culture of feeling and health.
Its use of relatable characters and scenarios makes it a practical tool for grassroots community education, helping to normalise discussions on a subject that has long been considered taboo in Bangladesh.
The Bigger Picture: Creative Knowledge Products for SRHR
The publication of ‘Cheleder Duronto Boyoshondhi’, and by extension, WREETU’s comic book series, underscores a national shift in how SRHR knowledge is shared. Traditional methods, such as textbooks and lectures, often fail to connect with younger audiences. Modern, creative formats like comics, apps, animated videos, and interactive storytelling are far more effective at capturing attention and facilitating understanding. WREETU’s comic is an excellent example of this innovative model, demonstrating that complex health information can be packaged entertainingly.
Conclusion and Call-to-Action
More than merely a comic book, “Cheleder Duronto Boyoshondhi” is an essential instructional tool that courageously fills a major void in Bangladeshi boys’ SRHR education. It enables young boys to comprehend and appreciate their adolescent journey by simplifying difficult subjects in a way that is relatable, amusing, and easy to understand. We urge educators, parents, youth leaders, and legislators to acknowledge the importance of this resource and include it in their family discussions and educational initiatives.We encourage readers to investigate other innovative knowledge resources from Share-Net Bangladesh and its partners in order to further advance SRHR literacy and collaboration.By encouraging candid and open discussions on sexual and reproductive health for all, we can collectively build a better-informed and healthier society.
