In support of the World Youth Forum of the United Nations System, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) organised a special international youth essay contest. The Forum, hosted by the Austrian Federal Youth Co uncil with the support of the Austrian Government and the Mayor of Vienna was held in Vienna from 25 to 29 November 1996. The title of the contest was "Promoting Responsible Reproductive Health Behaviour: The Youth Perspective"Thirty-seven essays were received by UNFPA headquarter in New York from the Pacific region for the essay contest. The following are excerpts from three essays from the Pacific that were among the 49 semi-finalists in the international contest. To retain the flavour of the essays, only minor editorial corrections have been made.
Papua New Guinea"Teenagers becoming pregnant may have resulted from many factors. Some of these reasons include; the desire to have a child, alcohol motivated and having unprotected sex.
The desire to have a child at the teen age may be one reason why teenagers fall into being pregnant. This desire may have stemmed from the very fact that because other teenagers have babies it motivated their friends to have babies. From talking to some female teenagers, many of them say that they love to have children.
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When under the influence of alcohol, there is a greater risk of having sex than abstaining from it. Of the ten (10) pregnant teenagers that were interviewed, six (6) of them admitted (with a bit of hesitation at first) that they had sex at a time when they should not but they were so drunk they could not control their emotions.
Having unprotected sex, or having sex without using the contraceptives is a major factor contributing to the high rate of teenage pregnancy. This does not mean that teenagers do not know the use of contraceptives, but instead they may be too embarrassed to use and to talk about them.
As it can be seen, the ignorance of the use of contraceptives methods and techniques is the major factor in teenage pregnancy.
I would personally like to make some recommendations as to how to go about reducing the rate of teenage pregnancy.These may be some of the many ways in which we can reduce (not stop) the rate of teenage pregnancy."
I-Kiribati view"There are reasons to believe that adults contribute considerably to the increased sexual permissiveness of us youths. Our Pacific culture does not permit or allow children/youths to discuss or talk about sex. Proponents of sex education in the public schools are in general agreed that from birth, sex education is unavoidable and important. The question then is what role if any, public school educators should play in this process? Also what key role should parents play to educate their children from childhood about their biological self (sex and its consequences).
Sexuality education is going on at every instant of a child's life. The culture impinges on the child instantly at birth, with the father's and mother's attitudes about themselves and each other as man and woman. This is sex education.
 the doctor? |
According to our Pacific culture a girl receives cultural sexual education when she sees her first menstrual period. The girl is kept in the house by her mother for four days. During this period she is instructed on what to do throughout her lif e period as a woman when she sees her monthly period. This is regarded according to our culture as secretive. At the end of this period a feast is conducted by the family to welcome the girl to womanhood in the community. Oral education is imparted to her by the elders. This is sex education in o ur Pacific way. Sex instruction in the home after this period is usually in a subtle, hit and miss affair.
They argued that motherhood is a joyous and responsible human act, and it makes a lady to enjoy her sexuality with respect. Sexual relations must be confined to marriage.
In fact there are a lot of changes which are linked to a liberalization in the public's attitude towards sex. My contention is that we are simply in a state of sexual chaos. Revolution is needed for a better sexual health behaviour. I believe this can best come through an honest and intensive endeavour to improve the quality of interpersonal male-female relationships."
The Fiji Contribution"Anyone who has been through the teenage stage in life will know that it is a difficult period. Youths today have their own opinions about things that are often in total contrast with their parents' views. For example, the accepted code of dress fo r Fijian girls about ten years ago was a long skirt, dress, "sulu" (sarong) with a blouse or T-shirt. Long trousers or shorts were a definite "no-no". Today, it is common to see Fijian girls wearing jeans, short skirts, shorts, and in fact, anything in which they feel comfortable. This trend should be an indication to parents that cultural values as far as clothing is concerned will need to undergo some changes. It should also be an indication, or warning, that possibly, values relating to the discussion of sexual and reproductive matters need re-examination.
Youths want to be liked and to feel accepted by their peer groups. They, therefore, feel pressured into doing things that their friends are doing in order to be accepted as one of the group. They are very conscious of how others look at them. E verything around us focuses on sex (television programmes, movies, advertisements, novels, and clothing). It is a subject that cannot be ignored or avoided. When not informed or educated on the subject, sex can lead to serious trouble -- and all because of the cultural belief that the subject of sex is taboo.
Since doctors have evidence that a growing number of 13 and 14 year olds are becoming sexually active, I would like to suggest that sexual health begin in Form 2. Most children are 13 years old by the time they reach Form 2 and what better timing could there be than the onset of puberty to lay the ground rules for good, responsible reproductive health. To remain a virgin is not a crime. In fact, it is probably one of the smartest things that they could do. Energies would be better spent in sporting activities, academic pursuits, and pursuing constructive hobbies. The schools should be able to assist youths by providing more creative outlets for their energy.
A combined effort by the family and the school to educate youths at the onset of puberty on responsible reproductive health as well as providing creative activities that would keep them occupied is necessary."