Puberty Education : Information Access


Teenagers life period is challenging. Leading a healthy and productive life, many teenagers require access to authentic information, products and services. They also have to develop a decision-making and interpersonal skills. At teensNparents.com, we have initiated Tan-Man Teens Club concept. It is Tan (Body) and Man (Mind) development during teenage. We have obtained experience through research for educating young people about various aspects of body image, reproductive health-care, family life, interpersonal relationships and gender issues. We promote an interactive approach of sharing, teaching and learning that encourages the development of attitudes and skills that can lead to good decision-making and responsible behavior in life.

We promote age-appropriate education that helps teenagers to understand physical changes as positive and natural aspects of their body development. They have access to learning, products and services that are non-judgmental and affordable. Teenagers search information about sexuality and reproductive health from a variety of sources. Parents, Teachers and trusted adults have traditionally been the source of such information. Many young people now rely on their friends or the entertainment or the print/electronic media. Internet have also become a prime source of information for teenagers

Teenagers are reluctant to ask for information from the parents or elders in the family, due to embarrassment or shyness. Taboos, traditional beliefs or customs regarding premarital sexual relations may also inhibit young people from getting information. Access to information, counselling or services is not available easily, confidentially and freely. In our society, adolescents are not considered as being sexually active before marriage, even though they often are physically. The information and services are not provided to them. Teachers, parents and other adults discourage their questions or lack adequate training to deal with them appropriately. As a result of these barriers, misconceptions about reproductive health care persist – as can be seen by the many teenagers, still have misconceptions about Menstruation / Masturbation / Wet-Dream / HIV / AIDS etc..

Learning life skills during teenage:

Participative approach to life skills education during teenage can be useful throughout their life. Role-playing, feelings understanding, gender awareness, negotiation skills, and sharing sessions can liven up learning process. Initiating critical thinking, problem-solving and interpersonal communications skills that can lead to responsible and voluntary decisions. A life skills-based learning can enable teenager to challenge harmful gender norms, resist peer pressure and critically assess mass media. Empower them to make safe passage to adulthood.

Major emphasis is on communication and decision-making, which can be applied to all activities, but it can be age appropriate in the sensitive arena of reproductive health care. Subject matter may range from reproductive biology and human development to emotions, gender stereotypes and relations, communication and negotiation, voluntary abstinence, use of protective methods to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections like HIV/AIDS, drug and alcohol addiction, violence and abuse, and print/electronic media exploitation.

Providing age appropriate information, shaping attitudes and building life skills can promote preventive and responsible behavior and generate demand for reproductive health education and services. It is felt that accurate information provided at the right age tends to delay the onset of sexual activity and lead to safer sexual behaviors. Well-designed educational programs also address parents and communities, whose support can be an important element in their success.

By Adolescence Educator