Context of sexual behaviors in school age adolescents

Abstract

          Adolescent is a very important phase in life which connects childhood and adult. Rapid development of physical, psychological, mental, emotional and social aspect occurs and reproductive organs are also mature in this time period. Brain is fully developed but emotion is unstable and sensible. Adolescents are able to think abstractly as well as adults but still lack of experiences in life. Peers have much influence to adolescents on how they develop their values, habits, and morals. Nowadays, there are many evil paths especially in urban settings. These are factors and conditions that lead adolescent to the dark side of life. Objectives of this research are to study the situation of sexual behaviors, factors that influence willingness to have sex in adolescents. Focus group discussion technique was used to collect the information. The study results showed that adolescents under study frequently had sex among peers. Sixty to eighty percent of male adolescents and fifty to sixty percent of female adolescents have already had sex. Adolescents revealed that they were usually had access to information and education related to sex rapid ly and easily through internet, adult video, magazines, and Japanese anime. Male adolescents said that the way the celebrity and women dress these days stimulate their sexual desire. For female, adolescents dressing styles follow the recent trend of fashion and what actresses dress. Female adolescents learned about sex partly from school and from friends while male learned from their seniors, commercial sex workers, and watching movies. The things that female adolescents worried much were pregnancy, parents know that they have had sex, be neglected by the partner. To prevent pregnancy, female adolescent use contraceptive pills, DMPA, condoms, and external ejaculation. Male adolescents feared of HIV infection but didn't want to use condom. The researchers recommend promotion and training on social skill to adolescents. They should be knowledgeable about how to prevent unwanted pregnancy, benefits of having sex only when ready and accountable. By the way, warm family and understanding, are the best means to guide them to be grow up as a good member of the society.