Investigating the Awareness of Adolescence Education among Adolescents in Kerala

Adolescents are young people between the ages of 10 and 19 years. Adolescence is a challenging and dynamic period due to hormonal, physical, emotional, cognitive and social changes. In India, adolescents form a major chunk of population. The pubertal changes are not only physical but also mental, warranting proper guidance and support, erroneous beliefs and imperfect knowledge can lead to severe mental aberrations, which will become detrimental to a normal adulthood or marital life, it is well recognized that childhood and adolescence are periods of intense psychological growth and development. Such phases would understandably involve many crises, such as instability, inner turbulence and behavioural deviance. Because of many misconceptions, ignorance and social taboos about sex, sexuality, conception and contraception; along with their peculiar developmental stage, adolescents form a vulnerable group. The habits formed during this period tend to last for lifetime. Also, most of the lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and coronary disease which present themselves during adulthood have their foundations laid during this period of growing up. A good nutritional, social, psychological and emotional support given to adolescents will go a long way in preventing the disease burden on the society. The main components of Adolescence Education are the physical aspects which include a) the anatomy and physiology of the human reproduction, b) Physical, emotional and psychological changes during puberty, and c) Conception, pregnancy and birth.

The present study collected data through a questionnaire on the level of knowledge and attitude towards Adolescence education from 120 who belonged to the rural and urban Secondary School students particularly in the cities of the Indian state Kerala. The present study focuses on : 1. Adolescents being aware of male/female reproductory anatomy and functions. 2. Attraction towards the opposite sex during adolescent stage being highly immoral.

An overall 52% of the respondents agree to the statement that the adolescent group must be aware of the reproductory anatomy and functions of a male and female. However 26.67% are undecided and not sure whether there should an awareness of male and female reproductory anatomy. Only 16.67 % disagree and 5% strongly disagree the statement.

30% of the respondents agreed that attraction towards the opposite sex during adolescent stage is highly immoral and 10% strongly agreed to it. 26.67% were not sure whether attraction to the opposite sex during adolescence is a highly immoral act . Out of the total 20.83% of the respondents disagreed while 12.5 % strongly disagreed to the opinion that attraction towards the opposite sex is an act of being highly immoral.

85 respondents felt that the sex of the baby is decided at birth while 35 of them felt otherwise. 80 of the respondents did not feel that unwanted girl babies were killed by parents. 68 of the respondents were aware that amniocentesis means finding out the sex of the unborn baby. A good 82 of the respondents were not of the opinion that marriage is the most important goal for a girl. 76 of the respondents were of the opinion that Dowry is a social evil while 44 of them felt otherwise. 55of the respondents felt that the mother is responsible for the sex of the baby while 65 of them felt otherwise. 78 of the respondents were aware that the age of a boy at the time of marriage is legally 21 years while 42 of them were not aware about it. A good 86 respondents out of 120 respondents were against the opinion that only mother can take care of the child.

human development. The characteristics of both the individual and the environment influence the changes taking place during adolescence. The unique nature and importance of adolescence mandates explicit and specific attention in health policy and programmes. Adolescents have specific characteristics that need to be taken into consideration in policies and programmes and in the strategies to reach this section of the population with health promotion, prevention, treatment and care. To provide the support that is needed, the significant adults in their lives, including parents, teachers, service providers and other duty-bearers, need to understand the changes taking place during the adolescent years and extend their due support throughout the adolescent period of their lives. This is because most adolescents are undecided and confused about their reproductive and sexual growth, understanding about the relationship between boys and girls and knowledge about marriage, pregnancy and birth.

Adolescents should be given awareness by their schools or colleges by conducting effective Adolescence Education programs. Parent awareness programs should be conducted for parents of adolescents to give them a clear understanding of the problems faced by their teenage children and how to be there as a support system for their children during times of difficulties they may face. Teachers should be sensitized through training programs of the expected behaviour mechanism of their students and how to guide their children in the most effective way. Specific adolescent related education programs can be initiated within the communities by the local authorities. Health care centres for the special care and rehabilitation of adolescents need to be established.

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Principal Christel House India