Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Adolescents Can Know Best

There are numerous and diverse factors that influence the sexuality of adolescents in developing countries. Much research has been carried out on the issue, but little of this research has provided adolescents with the opportunity to describe sexuality as they see it and to share their perspectives on the factors that they think impact their sexuality – independent of pre-determined frameworks or pre-conceived notions. During my study, I went directly to adolescent experts in Lima, Peru to talk with them about the factors and pathways driving adolescent sexuality, based on the premise that adolescents can know best. The young experts provided important new factors and new insights on previously recognized factors, such as personal values and will, achievements and aspirations, family relationships, the close environment of peers, teachers, community and the media, and partner relationship, as well as wisdom on the relationship between and importance of the factors.

Adolescent experts also created possible decision-making pathways to having sex – which included the causes and consequences of having sex, personal will, the close environment, negative household influences and partner opinions. Coupled with the other results, these findings affirm the value of integrating adolescent voices into research and set the stage for future research and programs. This will be important information for the 5.8 million adolescents in Peru, and hopefully for adolescents in Latin American and other regions as well.
(The photo shown affirms the creativity, ingenuity and great perspectives of adolescents. It was taken by a 12-year old female as part of a photovoice project on items that affect adolescent sexuality.)


Angela Bayer, MHS, PhD ‘08, recently completed her PhD in Population, Family and Reproductive Health at JHSPH.

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