INVESTING IN SEXUAL , REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH OF 10 TO 14 YEAR OLDS YIELDS TIME BENEFITS
Age 10 to 14 years, a
time when both girls and boys are constructing their own identities and are
typically open to new ideas and influences, provides a unique narrow window of
opportunity for parents, teachers, healthcare providers and others to
facilitate transition into healthy teenage and adulthood years according to
researchers from Georgetown University's Institute for Reproductive Health who
note the lack worldwide of programs to help children of this age navigate
passage from childhood to adulthood.
An estimated 1.2
billion adolescents live in the world today -- the largest number of
adolescents in history. Half are between the ages of 10 and 14 -- years of
critical transition from child to teenager. These are the years in which
puberty is experienced, bringing with it physical and other changes that may be
difficult for a youngster to understand, yet set the stage for future sexual
and reproductive health.
Nevertheless, the
opportunity to reach very young adolescents during the very years when sexual
and reproductive health behaviors lasting a lifetime are being developed is
frequently missed, the Institute for Reproductive Health researchers note. They
report that educators, program designers, policy-makers or others typically do
not view 10 to 14 year olds as a priority because the long-term benefits and
value of investing in them goes unrecognized.
In "Investing
in Very Young Adolescents' Sexual and Reproductive Health" published
online in the peer-reviewed journal Global Public Health,
in advance of print publication in issue 9:5-6, the Institute for Reproductive
Health researchers advocate the investment of resources to lay foundations for
future healthy relationships and positive sexual and reproductive health,
identifying specific approaches to reach these very young adolescents. They say
that programs to engage 10 to 14 year olds must be tailored to meet their
unique developmental needs and take into account the important roles of parents
and guardians and others who influence very young adolescents.
"Ten is not too
young to help girls and boys understand their bodies and the changes that are
occurring. Ten is not too young to begin to move them from ignorance to
knowledge," said Rebecka Lundgren, MPH, senior author of the paper.
"We need to reach 10 to 14 year olds, often through their parents or
schools, to teach them about their bodies and support development of a healthy
body image and a strong sense of self worth. We also need to hear their voices
-- the voices of the under-heard and underserved. Ten is not too young."
Lundgren is the director of research at the Institute for Reproductive Health.
The paper notes that
preventive reproductive and sexual health services designed to suit the needs
of very young adolescents are virtually non-existent in lower- and
middle-income countries and that worldwide, family life education, youth
centers, and youth-friendly health services with programs specifically targeted
to 10 to 14 year olds rarely exist.
According to the
World Health Organization and other groups, misinformation abounds about
fertility (including first menstruation and ejaculation), sex, sexuality and
gender identity in this age group. Very young adolescents often rely on equally
uninformed peers or older siblings and the media for information.
According to
Lundgren, the few existing programs for youths age 10 to 14 years typically
focus on girls. "We need to expand that focus to include boys, laying a
foundation for both girls and boys to learn and communicate with peers,
parents, teachers and health providers as they develop positive self images and
healthy practices in order to move this age group from vulnerability to
empowerment."
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