Adolescent sexuality refers to sexual feelings, behavior and development in adolescents and is a stage of human sexuality.. Sexuality "is a vital aspect of teens' lives"[1] The usual onset of sexual feelings is around the time of puberty. Questions of human sexuality generally and adolescent sexuality in particular are of concern to the wider society. The sexual behavior of adolescents is influenced by their culture's norms and mores, their sexual preference, and the issues of social control such as age of consent laws.
Sexual activity generally is associated with a number of risks, including sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV/AIDS) and pregnancy through failure or non-use of birth control. Particularly for adolescents, who may not be psychologically mature or independent, there are added risks of emotional distress or future poverty from teenage pregnancy. Sexual preferences among adolescents can vary greatly from heterosexuality to homosexuality, to bisexuality or asexuality.
Sex Education
editSex education is a broad term used to describe education about human sexual anatomy, sexual reproduction, sexual intercourse, and other aspects of human sexual behavior. Common avenues for sex education are parents or caregivers, school programs, and public health campaigns.
Sexual education in different countries vary. For example, in France sex education has been part of school curricula since 1973. Schools are expected to provide 30 to 40 hours of sex education, and pass out condoms to students in grades eight and nine. In January, 2000, the French government launched an information campaign on contraception with TV and radio spots and the distribution of five million leaflets on contraception to high school students.[citation needed]
In Britain and the United States there has been a significant amount of controversy over what should and should not be taught by schools and other venues. In the United States the Bush Administration has backed abstinence-only sexual education which makes up a large part of what is taught in United States schools.
In Asia the state of sex education programs are at various stages of development. Indonesia, Mongolia, South Korea and Sri Lanka have a systematic policy framework for teaching about sex within schools. Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand have assessed adolescent reproductive health needs with a view to developing adolescent-specific training, messages and materials. India has programs that specifically aims at school children at the age group of nine to sixteen years. These are included as subjects in the curriculum and generally involves open and frank interaction with the teachers. Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan have no coordinated sex education programs. [2]
Legal aspects of adolescent sexuality
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Adolescent sexuality in modern times is often controversial in the western world and other places as well. The age of consent is the minimum age at which a person is considered to be capable of legally giving informed consent to sexual acts with another. The age of consent in this context is different from age of majority, age of criminal responsibility, or the marriageable age.
The age of consent varies from country to country. In Japan the age is 13, in Canada 14 and it varies from 16 to 18 across the United States. Having sexual relations with a person under the age of consent is generally a criminal offense. Punishments range from token fines to life imprisonment. Many different terms exist for the offense including statutory rape, illegal carnal knowledge, or corruption of a minor.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Ponton, Lynn (2000). The Sex Lives of Teenagers. New York: Dutton. p. 2. ISBN 0452282608.
- ^ Adolescents In Changing Times: Issues And Perspectives For Adolescent Reproductive Health In The ESCAP Region United Nations Social and Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific