Adolescent Sexual Behavior

ADOLESCENT SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR

Gone are the days when sex used to be a forbidden word to say in the open for both adults and children. Fortunately, and unfortunately, in this 21st century even a new born baby knows about the facts of life that is the details about sex and reproduction. Sex can be defined in two ways. One is the state of being a male or female as defined by Merriam Webster Dictionary. Second definition which Merriam Webster Dictionary defines as a physical activity in which people touch each other’s bodies, kiss each other or physical activity that is related to and often includes sexual intercourse.

This article focuses on the second definition and it's  impact on the health of adolescents.
 According to the health statistic of Ghana ,301 girls between the ages of 10 -14 were pregnant between the year 2014-2015. Gone are the days when we thought of sex only when we had a married partner. Well the harm has already been caused, what we need is solutions.

REASONS FOR ADOLESCENT SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR

Many factors could contribute to the characteristics portrayed by adolescents. Some are discussed below.

Media influence; The influence of the media on the adolescent is ferocious. By just a swipe on their tablets and smart phones they can view any form of erotic video and acts of nudity which seems to be so appealing enticing them to try  it forgetting about the negative side effect that might come about.

Lack of parental control and support; Adolescents who have no one to cater for them finacially may tend  trade sex for money or play the field for financial support.

Peer influence; Adolescents who find themselves among groups which  keep talking about sex and their sexual partners are persuaded to also engage in sex.

Lack of sex education; It is an undeniable fact that when one gets to the adolescents stage, the person starts to feel strong attraction for the opposite sex and if one is not educated the person may abuse such attraction.

EFFECTS OF ADOLESCENTS SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR

As Newton’s third law of motion stipulates, to every action there is equal and opposite reaction. The effects of adolescent sexual behavior ae numerous, but few are discussed below.

Teenage pregnancy; which may lead to single parenting coupled with other hardships in taking care of the child and other unending problems such as complication from childbirth, psychological trauma as a result of childbirth and inability to cater for child, school dropout and depression among others

Contraction of STDS such as HIV/AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhea among others which can lead to death or chronic diseases in future.

Death; death can result from many reasons,it could be as a result of unsafe abortion, suicide due to depression and stigmatization or even death as a result of child delivery.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Parents should make time for their children especially at the adolescent stage. They should get to know them and win their trust so that their children can go to them for questions on sex instead of their peers. Parents should also cultivate the habit of talking to their children about sex, because if they don’t do it someone else would and it might not be helpful to the child.

Sex education should be promoted in schools and churches. Adolescents need to know how to protect themselves if they want to engage in sex. Adolescents who can’t abstain from sex totally, should be taught condom use.

Talking about finances, the government should create measures to empower adolescents who are deprived, economically. They can create employment avenues so that these adolescents can get decent jobs in order not to trade sex for a living.

In conclusion everyone should get on board namely teachers, parents, pastors and government among others. Adolescence is a critical stage where a lot of mistakes are made. With all this people supporting our children through this stage, would go a long way to have positive impacts on our country as a whole.

Other Views and suggestions are warmly welcomed

Best regards...........

Amegbedzi,Rosemary Ami

rosemaryamegbedzi@gmail.com

0544994711