Adolescent boys and girls are shy and afraid to seek
information concerning sexual reproductive health. Furthermore, most parents do
not feel comfortable to discuss issues concerning sexual reproductive health
with their adolescent children. Is because the parents have inadequate knowledge
on the subject matter or they are restricted to cultural and traditional norms?
The price that we pay due to the fact that we (parents and children)
do not talk to each other is too high than its alternative. This is why I
wonder why young people and their parents tend to opt for silence that
eventually leads to a lot of sexual and reproductive health problems among young
people? What is not considered is the fact that the aftermath impacts on both the
child and the parents in one way or the other.
Unintended pregnancies are a usual feature in our society
today. Some parents reach the point of disowning their own sons and daughters
because they have impregnated someone or they have been impregnated. However,
such scenarios could be easily avoided by dealing with what we think is shyness
and be open and discuss the fundamental issues concerning adolescent sexual
reproductive health.
Why should the life of a young and energetic person be in turmoil
because he or she had no information while the parents, uncles and aunties had
some information that could have helped to circumvent the situation?
Early and unintended pregnancies, STI infections, HIV and
AIDS prevalence rate, obstetric fistula and many other SRH problems have
increased because of several reasons and among the top is the fact that parents
and their adolescent children are not open to each other. The reasons why we do
not talk with our children or parents about SRH issues is that we are shy to
talk.
Most young people are facing a lot of SRH problems and some are even losing their precious lives
while their parents, uncles and aunts are capable of providing guidance and
the necessary information on the subject matter. This reminds of an old adage
in Chichewa that says mbewa yamanyazi
inafera kuuna (a shy mouse died of
starvation right in its hole while its fellow rodents had plenty to eat outside
the hole).
The absence of parental guidance and counseling on issues of
adolescent’s sexual and reproductive health has provided an opportunity for
peer pressure and misconceptions to thrive in influencing the day today
decision making of young people.
2 comments:
young people should not let their sexual reproductive health problems unattended to. C'mon! you have a lot of years ahead of you and you better start taking good care of everything now. Young people should not let other people zip their mouths. its time to speak out and let the duty bearers know what and why they are being defeated by SRH problems
You are right Ian,taking good care of today is the best way of ensuring a better tomorrow.
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