Societal attitudes about sexuality in Canada have changed a lot throughout the 20th century, primarily towards premarital sexual intercourse. Previously, society’s view, values and beliefs were strongly opposed to sex before marriage and supported abstinence till marriage. The issue of sexual behaviour among adolescents was more private and even unspoken of then. Presently, though the previous generation still keep these values, the majority of adolescents hold a positive view and consent sexual activity before marriage, especially if it is between people who are romantically involved with each other, and few are open to discuss their sexuality with their family and friends (Rathus, Nevid & Fichner-Rathus, 2010, p. 328). A national survey found that 27% of Canadian parents were aware of their adolescent’s sexual activity. In Martinez, Copen and Abma’s (2011, p. 5) report, 43% of teenage females and 42% of teenage males who had never been married had sexual intercourse. With society’s view on sexuality being more positive and open, more and more adolescents are engaging in sexual activity. The thesis that will be argued is that because sexual behaviour among adolescents is so prevalent and that prevention plans are ineffective, the government should impose yearly mandatory sexually-transmitted-disease testing and physical examinations on teenagers. The youth should have easy and quick access to health care services and should feel at ease to go there to inquire about their sexual health. The consequences of sexual activity With many teenagers being sexually active, they are exposed to many possible risks that can be affected by poor decisions, negligence and accidents. Out of the many consequences, the two major concerns are sexu... ... middle of paper ... ...cKee, M., Karasz, A., & Weber, C. M. (2004). Health Care Seeking Among Urban Minority Adolescent Girls: The Crisis at Sexual Debut. Annals Of Family Medicine, 2(6), 549-554. Retrieved October 23, 2013, from EBSCO database. Rathus, S. A., Nevid, J. S., Fichner-Rathus, L., & Herold, E. S. (2010). Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity (3rd Canadian ed.). Toronto: Pearson Canada. Mayo Clinic. (2013, February). Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Retrieved October 23, 2013, from Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds/DS01123 Sulak, P. J. (2004). Adolescent sexual health. Journal Of Family Practice, 53S3-S4. Retrieved October 23, 2013, from EBSCO database. Wilson, A., & Williams, R. (2000). Sexual health services: What do teenagers want?. Ambulatory Child Health, 6(4), 253-260. Retrieved October 23, 2013, from EBSCO database.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation. “The Facts of Teen Pregnancy: An Overview.” Teens and Sex.
Formerly known as Adolescent Reproductive Health Programs, the Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit (SRHU) has worked with youth-serving organizations for (xx) years. Through that time, they have developed a number of resources for usage by Teens in New York City. One of the most notable resources is their Clinic Guide, a wallet sized guide to clinics in New York City, in all five boroughs that provide low-cost and confidential services to teens as well as those of legal adult age. While they had been providing resources such as the clinic guide for a number of years, there was never a clear way for them to ensure their proper use and distribution. This past year, they developed the Teens in NYC: Getting Sexual Health Services Workshop Facilitation Guide. The workshop is designed for use with teens aged 13-19 and can be used by any person who is comfortable with the material, regardless of whether or not they have any prior health education history. Featuring a role-play and an activity, which explicitly requires use of either the Clinic Guide or the mobile app developed for use, the workshop would ensure that teens are properly instructed and exposed to the clinic guide and the possibilities for receiving services in New York City.
Chen, Grace. “Schools, Parents, and Communities Should Contribute to Educating Teens About Sex.” Teenage Sexuality. Ed. Aarti D. Stephens. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. From “Public Schools and Sex Education.” Public School Review. 2008. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 22 Oct. 2013.
Tobey, Jacquelyn, and Stephen Hillman. “Demographic Differences in Adolescents' Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors, Parent Communication about Sex, and School Sex Education." Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality. 14. (2011): Web. 1 May. 2014.
“Sex Education Is The Key To Curbing Teen Sex.” Teen Sex. Olivia Ferguson. Michigan: Greenhaven Press, 2011. 29-39.
Studies show that between 2006 and 2011 there was an average drop of about 30% of teen pregnancies and 50% of teens involved in any kind of sexual activity (not just intercourse) in America. According to a recent study as of 2008, teen birth rates in the U.S., (which have been declining for tw...
A report published by the U.S Department of Health and Human Accommodations “suggests that as many as 50% of all adolescents are sexually active” (White, 2008, p. 349). A portion of those are puerile women who will become pregnant, adolescent men who will contract a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and teenagers who will suffer from emotional distress and regret. Albeit the majority concurs inculcation is the solution to this dilemma, one q...
Milstein, Susan A. Taking Sides Clashing Views in Human Sexuality. Ed. William J. Taverner and Ryan W. McKee. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2009. Print.
(1985) Sexual education and sexual experience among adolescents. American Journal of Public Health: Vol. 78, No. 1, pp. 113-117. 75, No. 58, No.
Sexuality is a fundamental part of our self-discovery, involving much more than just being genetically or anatomically male and female and it is not defined solely by one 's sexual acts (Ministry of Education 1989, p.79 cited in Gourlay, P 1995). The notion that sexuality is fixed and innate disregards the social aspects that impact ones’ sexualities. Gagnon and Simon (1973) further commented that sexuality is a feature of social
Osmundson, Joseph. "'I Was Born This Way': Is Sexuality Innate, and Should It Matter?" Harvard Kennedy School. N.p., 2011. Web. 11 Feb. 2014. .
The government likes to pretend that if high school students get taught the “abstinence-only” method they would never think of taking part in sexual activities. Statistically this is incorrect. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “56 percent of high school students are virgins”(Martin). For the 56 percent abstinence only is doing them well, but there are still 44 percent of high school students engaging in sex without knowing the precau...
Martinez, Gladys, Joyce Abma, and Casey Copen. “Educating Teenagers About Sex In The United States”. CDC.GOV. Center of Disease Control and Prevention, 15 Sept. 2010. Web. 09 Feb.2014
Sherman, E. (1986). Teenage sex: A special report. Ladies Home Journal 103 (October) : 138,199, 202-206
The sexual orientation of a person has been a critical debate over the past several centuries. For several...