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Sexual Health Exchange, 1996 - no. 3
Sexual health: some young people's views in Lima, Peru
In November 1995, NGO representatives from 13 Latin American countries shared their experiences in prevention programmes for youth. To set the stage for their workshop, a teenage boy and girl spoke about the concerns of lower-class youth in Lima regarding sexual health. Some points from their presentation are summarized below.
Adolescents often hide their problems.
Informal drinking places offer some youth a refuge from their problems or provide a form of entertainment. When they go there, they may end up having sex.
Some youth have sex from the age of 12-13 years, but most of them do not take AIDS seriously or really know what it is.
The boys, who begin to act "macho", want to be with many girls "because this is what a man does"; parents may even send them to brothels, saying "Go and become a man."
If a girl becomes pregnant, the boy may ignore her or say he is not the father. But he is scared; he doesn't know what to do. Many young women leave school when they become pregnant. Their parents may turn them out because they bring economic and social problems to the family.
When sexual abuse occurs, young people don't know how to react - should they hide it or make it known? Sometimes the problem never comes to light.
Parents don't talk to young people about sex because they are embarrassed. When they do not give advice about it openly, young people receive no orientation at home.
Time should be set aside at school for students to talk about problems and their solutions; this time should have the same status as other classes. The teachers should explain different issues in a climate of trust, treating the students like they would treat their own friends.
Neighbourhood youth programmes, especially in poorer areas, should use videos and folders and include trained staff who also visit schools at fixed times, so that students can see them without having to skip their classes.
Special classes should be offered for parents and children at neighbourhood centres, health centres and schools. The focus would be on the reality of youth today so that parents really hear what young people have to say.
Students can organize to change things at school and talk with fellow students about problems related to pregnancy and sexual relations so that they have more information. The emphasis should be on equality in relationships.
Roberto Duran speaking with television interviewers during the Lima workshop (Photo: Maria de Bruyn)
María Montes and Roberto Duran, c/o Instituto de Educación y Salud (IES), Jr. Pablo Bermúdez 214, Of. 1001, Lima, Peru; Tel/fax: 51-14-336-314; e-mail: postmaster@ies.org.pe |
