Adolescent Sexuality: A Developmental Milestone or Risk-Taking Behavior? The Role of Health Care in the Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Of the many perspectives from which one can view teenage sexual activity, the most evident are as a normal developmental milestone in the life of the adolescent, or as risk-taking and possibly health-compromising behavior. Since unfortunately, knowledge about sexuality, reproduction, and contracepti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology 2000-08, Vol.13 (3), p.119-124
Main Authors: Hassan, Elsheikh A, Creatsas, George C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior
Adolescent Health Services
Adult
Contraception
Education, adolescence
Female
Human immunodeficiency virus
Humans
Male
Pregnancy
Pregnancy in Adolescence
Preventive Medicine
Risk-Taking
Sex Education
Sexual Behavior
Sexually transmitted diseases
Sexually Transmitted Diseases - prevention & control
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Summary:Of the many perspectives from which one can view teenage sexual activity, the most evident are as a normal developmental milestone in the life of the adolescent, or as risk-taking and possibly health-compromising behavior. Since unfortunately, knowledge about sexuality, reproduction, and contraception is often acquired after sexual activity has begun, the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) should be given high priority in health care and in education. The role of sex education has been a controversial issue for years and communication within the family vis-à-vis the teenager's decision to use contraception is often difficult both for the parents and for the adolescent. In the areas of adolescent sexual behavior, sex education, contraception, and counseling, it is imperative and of paramount importance that the health-care system focus on this target group.
ISSN:1083-3188
1873-4332
DOI:10.1016/S1083-3188(00)00045-0