THE ATTITUDE OF FEMALE ADOLESCENT TOWARDS REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EDUCATION (EDUCATION PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS)
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
International conference on population development (ICPD) (1996) defined reproductive health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes. Reproductive health is a crucial part of general health, yet many of the word’s people do not have good reproductive health. Some have little or no control over their sexual lives and children bearing, others engage in behaviours that put both them and their partners at risk, while yet others simply do not have assess to the right kind of information and services. Many girls and women are socially, politically, and economically disadvantaged, and have fewer educational opportunities and consequently have limited choices in the society is critical to their reproductive health, and their reproductive health is crucial not only to them but also to the next generation.
In some cultures, parents and family members such as aunts, uncles, elder sisters and grand parents are influential sources of knowledge, beliefs, attitude and values for children and youths. The adolescent period is a time when the teenagers need guidance and help from their parents home training is an essential element in instilling the right character and morals in the children because this have profound effect on how they will conduct their lives when they leave home. Children should be encouraged to talk to their parents, by so doing they can be prevented later in life from keeping to themselves. The youths of this generation are thrown into the pressure of an adult life. As from 12 yrs of age, they turn to their friends for advice about sex, pregnancy, drugs, money and careers, and many of the teenagers who go long have said “we could not talk us”. Early reproductive health education to children is an important task for parents. Esim (2001) says that in some cultures, parents and family member such as aunts, uncles, elder sisters and grand parents are influential sources of knowledge, beliefs, attitude and values for children and youths. They are role models who shape young people perception of gender roles and influence the choice that youth make about their own sexual behaviour. Parents and other family members often have the power to guide children’s development towards health sexuality as a natural, normal and progressive experience within the life cycle, they can help their children develop and practice responsible sexual behaviours and personal decision making.
