Adolescent Sexuality Research Articles

"Girls Have More Challenges; They Need to Be Locked Up": A Qualitative Study of Gender Norms and the Sexuality of Young Adolescents in Uganda.

Unequal power and gender norms expose adolescent girls to higher risks of HIV, early marriages, pregnancies and coerced sex. In Uganda, almost half of the girls below the age of 18 are already married or pregnant, which poses a danger to the lives of young girls. This study explores the social construction of gender norms from early childhood, and how it influences adolescents’ agency. Contrary to the mainstream theory of agency, which focuses on the ability to make informed choices, adolescents’ agency appears constrained by context-specific obstacles. This study adopted qualitative research approaches involving 132 participants. Of these, 44 were in-depth interviews and 11 were focus group discussions, parcelled out into separate groups of adolescents (12–14 years), teachers, and parents (n = 88), in Western Uganda. Data were analysed manually using open and axial codes, and conclusions were inductive. Results show that gender norms are established early in life, and have a very substantial impact on the agency of young adolescents. There were stereotypical gender norms depicting boys as sexually active and girls as restrained; girls’ movements were restricted; their sexual agency constrained; and prevention of pregnancy was perceived as a girl’s responsibility. Programs targeting behavioural change need to begin early in the lives of young children. They should target teachers and parents about the values of gender equality and strengthen the legal system to create an enabling environment to address the health and wellbeing of adolescents.

Sexuality of adolescents living with HIV/AIDS: sources of information defining learning

ABSTRACT Objective: To know the sources of information of adolescents living with HIV/AIDS that define learning about sexuality. Methods: A qualitative study was performed in a Specialized Care Service of a city in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil, with 15 adolescents living with HIV/AIDS. A semi-structured interview and thematic analysis were used. Results: Adolescents have built up their knowledge about sexuality, especially through relationships with friends and older family members, or through access to media sources. Schools and health services were spaces for sharing information about biological aspects of sexuality. Conclusion: Nurses need to address adolescent sexuality beyond the biological dimension and support it through critical and dialogical health education.

Probing the politics of comprehensive sexuality education: ‘Universality’ versus ‘Cultural Sensitivity’: a Dutch–Bangladeshi collaboration on adolescent sexuality education

As part of Western European development aid policy, comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is increasingly promoted in resource-poor countries. This paper engages with CSE promotion in Bangladesh funded by the Dutch Government. It unpacks the ‘collaboration’ by looking at how a paradox is played out between the universal ideals underlying a broader transnational rights-approach and the intended cultural sensitivity by adapting CSE to the targeted context. Feminist scholarship on the ideological, moral and affective underpinnings of CSE is used to question this model’s implied universality and neutrality. The various negotiations, concerns and strategies of NGO-representatives as co-producers of sexuality knowledge in Bangladesh are focused upon. Analysis focuses on how a ‘speakable’, middle-class-oriented ‘proper’ sexuality is invented and managed through affect; how cultural insensitivity and secular normativity with respect to CSE are challenged in discussions concerned a rights-versus-health approach; and how a confident and knowledgeable adolescent or young person is imagined through the emancipatory project attributed to sexuality education. Rather than via equal collaboration, it is argued, adolescent sexuality education in these development aid settings is shaped by powerful transnational and local processes of Othering.

What Is to Be Done? Can Human Rights Advocates Reframe Their Relationship with the Punitive State?

In March 2018, Amnesty International published the Body Politics: Criminalization of Sexuality and Reproduction series, a new resource to equip its global movement, as well as partners and advocates, to challenge unjust criminalization of sexual and reproductive actions, decisions, and gender expression. The series includes a book-length primer that provides our overarching theoretical analysis regarding states’ resort to criminalized approaches to sexuality and reproduction, an overview of international human rights standards that apply to these issues, case studies, and substantive issue annexes on abortion, sex work, sex outside of marriage, adolescent sexuality, conduct during pregnancy (such as drug use), same-sex sexuality and HIV exposure, non-disclosure, and transmission.

How Does Advance Provision of Emergency Contraceptives Affect Contraceptive Use and Sexual Activity Among Adolescents? Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of emergency contraceptive pill on adolescent sexuality and contraceptive behaviors through a meta - analysis of intervention studies on advance provision of emergency contraceptives. This study aimed to provide objective data on the transition of general medicines to be discussed in relation to the reclassification of emergency contraceptive pills. Using electronic database, 1,820 studies written in Korean or English without limitation of the year were reviewed and for analysis, 5 studies were selected, in which emergency contraceptives were provided to adolescents. The advance provision of emergency contraceptives has increased their use and shortened the time it takes to take contraceptive pills after unprotected sex. There was no change in the frequency of engaging in sexual intercourse and unprotected sex or in existing contraceptive behavior, pregnancy rates decreased, but there was no increase in sexually transmitted infection. The results of this study provide objective grounds for the reclassification of emergency contraceptive pills and propose effective interventional programs on contraceptive education, such as on efficacy and side effects of the contraceptive drug and its proper use among the youth who engage in sexual activity, to improve their reproductive health.

Envious Virgins and Adolescent Sexuality: The (Un)Importance of the Hymen in Virginity Studies

Envious Virgins and Adolescent Sexuality: The (Un)Importance of the Hymen in Virginity Studies

National Consultation on Adolescent Sexuality, Health and the Law: Mapping Intervention Related Challenges and Strategies

National Consultation on Adolescent Sexuality, Health and the Law: Mapping Intervention Related Challenges and Strategies

Faktori koji utiču na reproduktivno i seksualno zdravlje adolescenata

The goal of this review was to present the risk factors of adolescent reproductive and sexual health. During adolescence, a large number of young people become sexually active. Young people often do not have enough knowledge about sexuality, fertility control and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. It is important to comprehensively observe the sexuality of adolescents, as well as all the elements that contribute to the disruption of their reproductive health. Sexual behavior among adolescents is a complex problem, because facts shows that adolescents, despite being accurately and well informed, still behave inconsistently when it comes to protection against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. One of the main reasons seems to be insufficient amount of information and untimely use of contraceptives.

Trends in Research on Adolescent Sexuality Education, Fertility Awareness, and the Possibility of Life Planning Based on Reproductive Health Education

In this paper, we describe the trends in research on adolescent sexuality education in Japan and other countries and on fertility awareness, as well as the possibility of life planning based on sex and reproductive health education. Mason-Jones AJ et al. reviewed the results of school-based intervention studies on the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus infection, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. There is little evidence supporting the idea that educational curriculum-based programs alone are effective in improving sex and reproductive health outcomes in adolescents. In another study, the effectiveness of school-based sexuality education for adolescents in Japan was evaluated. The Japan Medical Abstract Society was searched for articles published in the last 10 years. In many studies, the effects were compared before and after a single sexuality education lecture by professionals, such as doctors, midwives, and public health nurses. In Japan, effort has been directed toward sexuality education, but no systematic program based on behavior theory has been adopted. Therefore, sex education is insufficient. A third study clarified research on fertility awareness in adults and issues regarding improvements in related education and research. The Japan Medical Abstract Society and PubMed were searched for articles published in the last 10 years. The review suggested that awareness of female fertility is insufficient. Delaying childbearing based on inaccurate knowledge of the decline in female fertility could lead to unintended infertility. For males and females, sexual health education in schools and communities should include information on the age-related decline in female fertility. Although the determinants of the timing of childbearing are multifactorial, education on fertility issues is necessary to help adults make informed reproductive decisions based on accurate information. Finally, in this paper, we introduce examples of the pioneering efforts in sexual health education through collaboration between the governments of Oita and Okayama Prefectures and Oita and Okayama Universities.

EL ABORDAJE DE LA EDUCACIÓN SEXUAL EN LAS FAMILIAS DE LOS ESTUDIANTES DE LAS INSTITUCIONES EDUCATIVAS DE BÁSICA Y MEDIA OFICIALES DEL MUNICIPIO DE ARMENIA, QUINDIO, Y SU INFLUENCIA EN LA DINÁMICA FAMILIAR

Este artículo surgió de la investigación cualitativa “El abordaje de la educación sexual en las familias de los estudiantes de las instituciones educativas de básica y media oficiales del municipio de Armenia, Quindío, y su influencia en la dinámica familiar”, financiado por la Vicerrectoría de Investigaciones de la Universidad del Quindío, en donde se analizaron las variaciones de las funciones de la sexualidad de los niños, niñas y adolescentes (NNA), dentro de la dinámica familiar. Para la recolección de información se realizaron entrevistas a los diferentes actores de las instituciones educativas y a las familias de los estudiantes. Así mismo se consolidaron categorías inductivas que demostraron que el abordaje de la educación sexual en las familias se circunscribe al control de la natalidad, a las infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) y al deseo de tener una pareja estable; además, se reveló un gran temor frente al tema de la sexualidad por la deficiente formación y un inadecuado acompañamiento de la familia de origen. Las características de los entrevistados del núcleo familiar fueron: un promedio de edad de 40 años, estudios secundarios, con procedencia en su mayoría de los departamentos de Caldas, Valle del Cauca y Putumayo, viven hace 4 años en la ciudad, son empleados y poseen una tipología familiar reconstituida y monoparental. Las variaciones en la dinámica familiar son, en su mayoría, establecimiento de normas y reglas al interior del hogar, compartidas o consensuadas, utilización del diálogo para la solución de problemas y vínculos familiares fortalecidos a través de los espacios compartidos durante el tiempo libre, las expresiones de afecto y el apoyo familiar.

Типология проявлений сексуальности подростков с расстройствами аутистического спектра

Типология проявлений сексуальности подростков с расстройствами аутистического спектра

Bidirectional Associations Between Adolescents' Sexual Behaviors and Psychological Well-Being

PurposeAssessing bidirectional longitudinal associations between early sexual behaviors (≤16.0 years) and psychological well-being (global self-esteem, physical self-esteem, depression) among 716 adolescents, and the direct and buffering effect of parent–adolescent relationship quality. MethodsWe used data from Project STARS (Studies on Trajectories of Adolescent Relationships and Sexuality), a longitudinal study on adolescent sexual development in the Netherlands. Participants were 11.0–16.0 years old (mean age at T1 = 13.3 years). Self-reports from four waves of online questionnaires were used. Bidirectional longitudinal associations were assessed by linear mixed-effects models. ResultsAt most waves, boys had significantly higher levels of psychological well-being than girls, but genders did not differ in experience with sexual behaviors. Engagement in early sexual behaviors did not predict lower levels of psychological well-being over time, and lower levels of psychological well-being did not predict more engagement in early sexual behaviors over time. Parent–adolescent relationship quality did not moderate these associations in either direction, although we found a significant direct effect, in which a higher-quality parent–adolescent relationship predicted more optimal levels of the three indicators of adolescents' psychological well-being (but not lower levels of early sexual activity) over time. ConclusionsOur results show that, among Dutch adolescents, early sexual behaviors and psychological well-being were not interrelated. This may be explained by socio-cultural aspects of the Dutch society, such as more normalization of sexual behaviors during adolescence. As a result, early sexual activity in and of itself was not related to lower psychological well-being over time. Yet, cross-cultural differences in links between adolescents' sexuality and well-being should be further investigated.

Identity, relationships, sexuality, and risky behaviors of adolescents in the context of social media

ABSTRACTThe use of social networking services (SNSs) has been reported as one of the favorite activities for adolescents. Over the past decade, SNSs have become some of the most important venues for connecting, communicating, and socializing, as well as identity-building and self-expression. Adolescence is the phase during which individuals construct a critical part in the process of constructing their sexual identity and gender. In the literature, it is suggested that SNSs have become venues for young people to construct and express themselves, and this can produce positive and negative effects. SNSs offer several opportunities for adolescents to explore their sexuality, and cybersex is often the first activity through which teenagers can explore their sexuality freely and without biases. SNS use inevitably affects and is related to adolescents’ sexuality and relationships with peers, sometimes with increasing inclination to risk-taking attitudes and related behaviors. Therefore, our aim of this paper was to explore and address the way in which social media and SNSs are affecting and changing not only adolescent sexuality, but also the type of relationship adolescents establish in their first sexual experiences, including possible risky consequences like cyberbullying, sexting, revenge pornography, excessive use of the Internet, and risky sexual behaviors. Specifically, research will be discussed on the development and evolution of sexuality of adolescents and young adults, also illustrating the clinical consequences.

Komunikasi Orang Tua Tentang Seksualitas Terhadap Perilaku Seksual Pranikah Pada Remaja

Parent-child communication and adolescent premarital sexual behavior in YogyakartaPurposeThis research aimed to examine the relationship between parent-child communication about sexuality and adolescents premarital sexual behavior.MethodsThis research involved 205 students in Senior High School "A" Yogyakarta. Data analysis was conducted with chi-square and logistic regression tests.ResultsThis research showed that there was no significant correlation (p > 0.05) between parental communication about sexuality and premarital sexual behavior in adolescents with OR score 1.43 (95% CI; 0.78- 2.63). The results of parental communication analysis of sexuality after considering other variables: such as gender, self-efficacy, and alcohol/drug used accounted for 5.7% in at-risk premarital sexual behavior.ConclusionThere were no significant correlations between parent-child communication about sexuality and adolescents’ premarital sexual behavior.

Pendidikan Reproduksi Remaja Sebagai Upaya Meminimalisir Problem Seksual

one of the serious problems facing the adolescents is the rise of promiscuity potentially leading to free sex. This problem becomes more severe when the existence of schools could no longer contribute more. Thus, one of the efforts to minimize the promiscuity is by optimizing counseling programs that specifically deal with adolescent reproductive health. In this paper, the writer will describe the relevance as well as the urgency of adolescent reproductive education taking counseling media to reduce the problem of adolescent sexuality. On this stand, educational practitioners are expectedly able to define the educational gap that is now more focused on the development of science by overriding the problems experienced by students who are also teenagers.

Políticas públicas e educação sexual: percepções de profissionais da saúde e da educação

Ações de promoção, proteção e recuperação da saúde integral voltadas à sexualidade na adolescência são preconizadas por diversas Políticas Públicas, no entanto, para o avanço de ações neste campo, desafios e limites têm sido investigados. Nesta pesquisa objetivou-se identificar, sob a ótica de profissionais inseridos em serviços públicos de Saúde e Educação, os avanços e desafios implicados nas Políticas Públicas vinculadas à adolescência e à Educação Sexual. Tratou-se de um estudo de abordagem qualitativa, no qual 20 profissionais do serviço público de Saúde e Educação de um município de grande porte do interior de São Paulo foram entrevistados. Os resultados de ambos os setores revelaram a percepção de que as Políticas Públicas vinculadas à Educação Sexual e à adolescência trazem contribuições para as práticas, embora apresentem fragilidades. Como contribuições, destacaram-se: os subsídios e o respaldo legais para a execução das práticas. Dentre as fragilidades reveladas têm-se as propostas descontextualizadas, falta de suporte prático e desconhecimento dos profissionais sobre as políticas. As informações apreendidas contribuem para a identificação de potencialidades e lacunas que podem ser utilizadas como ferramentas para a avaliação e elaboração das políticas. Nesta direção, somam-se elementos para a implementação do que está previsto pelas políticas públicas na realidade das práticas de Educação Sexual.

Efektivitas Modul Pusat Informasi dan Konseling tentang Seks Bebas pada Siswa SMA Surabaya

Surabaya is one of the city that has a number of free sex in adolescents. One of the activities of BKKBN is Pusat Informasi and Konseling Remaja (PIK), which one of its activities is using a module of adolescent reproductive health, sexuality and adolescent problems as a media of information and education for adolescents about the menace of sex behavior as the eff ort to mitigate and reduce the number of free sex and it to conduct the activities to reduce and prevent adolescent problems, which commonly called TRIAD KRR that consists of drug problems, HIV-AIDS, and free sex. SMA Surabaya is one of the schools that had 3 cases of free sex in 2012. The aim of this study was to determine the eff ectiveness of the module of PIK on adolescent reproductive health, sexuality and free sex of adolescents in changing the attitudes of the students in one of the high school in Surabaya about free sex. This research is a study with one group pretest posttest design were carried out on 80 students were selected. The statistical test used was paired sample T test. The results showed that the level of respondents’ attitudes decreased, which were the pre-test (p = 50.3500) and post-test (p = 50.0625) and it was not signifi cant, which means there was no diff erence between the pre-test and post-test (p = 0.659). The module had not been effective in improving the attitude of students in one of high school in Surabaya on reproductive health, sexuality, and free sex of adolescents.

Sexual behavior and practices of adolescent students in the city of Recife, Brazil

Introduction: The adolescent sexuality should not be understood only from the biological point of view; it is necessary to consider the whole social context.Objective: To characterize the adolescents’ behavior and sexual practices , according to sex.Methods: Cross-sectional study with adolescents aged 14 to 19 years registered in the Recife-PE state. A questionnaire with sociodemographic data and sexual behavior was used. The data were analyzed using SPSS, being employed a descriptive analysis and the tests chi-square and Mann-Whitney.Results: The data from 674 adolescents with an average age of 16.07 ± 1.46 years were analyzed. It was verified sexual initiation in 52.9% of boys and 38.7% girls. There was a significant difference between the number of partners (p = 0.001) with the boys showing greater quantitative. The barrier method was the most used in the first (68.8%) and last intercourse (52.2%). There was a significant difference in the first and last intercourse, in use (p = 0.006; p = 0.010) and type of contraceptive method (p= 0.001; p 0.001). Regarding the social network, riends were the most popular. However, it was observed a significant difference (p = 0.026), being the maternal figure more prevalent in girls. There was a significant difference in the absence of sexual initiation (p= 0.001). The lack of opportunity was the most reported condition by boys (52.2%) and marry virgin by the girls (33.9%).Conclusion: Most had already had sexual life, with higher prevalence in males. Regarding the sexual practices and behaviors in most conditions analyzed different values between the sexes were observed, with greater freedom and permissiveness in males.

Good girls and boys: findings from a cross-sectional survey on adolescent rights, relationships, and sexuality in an urban informal settlement in India

Around 20% of India’s population are adolescents aged 10–19 years. Our objective was to strengthen program interventions on gender equity, health, and participation by gauging adolescents’ levels of understanding and opinions. In a cross-sectional survey, we interviewed 2005 adolescents on their opinions on rights, friendship and sex, sexual refusal and coercion, and communication with family, using a two-stage probability proportional to size sample. Opinions on gender allocations were generally equitable, although females supported clothing proscriptions. Premarital sex, multiple partners, masturbation and non-heterosexual partnerships were frowned upon. Few respondents said that they felt pressure to be sexually active, 79% said that sexual coercion was a form of violence, but 14% of older adolescents said that it would be unreasonable to refuse sex. Our interviews described young people negotiating the terrain between perceived normative expectations and contemporary aspirations, showing limited manoeuvring within assumed gender roles in which family control was prominent.

Adolescence and ‘Hypersexualisation’ in Francophone Quebec: A Story of Missed Revolutions and Cultural Boundary Negotiations

Social discussions, academic debates and increased media attention to the ‘sexualisation’ of adolescents, particularly of teenage girls, have been ubiquitous in Western countries over the past two decades. Since the turn of the century, ‘hypersexualisation’ has been much discussed in Quebec media. This article frames hypersexualisation as a discourse and analyses the articulations between some of its major components, namely the definition of the endangered and redeemable adolescent subject and the presence of a failure narrative pertaining to historically specific emancipatory ideals. By doing so, it reveals the ways in which discussions about adolescent sexuality in Quebec can contribute to boundary mapping in a globalised context.