Youth and STI

Society | November 13, 2010 | Share

A recent study conducted in the UK revealed that more than 482,700 people were diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections in 2009, which is 12,000 more than 2008. The number has just increased this year and will continue to grow if the youth is not educated. Majority of the people diagnosed were between the ages of 15 and 24 and were mostly women. It is essential to first understand what the cause of these infections is and spread awareness to ensure that the number of people diagnosed is lesser and not more as the years go by.

Parties: Most of the women who come into clinics complaining of sexually transmitted illnesses are those that have been forced into having sex after drinking too much. Some women have no recollection of how many people they may have had sex with or who it was that they had intercourse with. Young girls are drugged at parties even today and statistics and studies show that they contract STIs simply because they had not been careful enough. It is essential for the youth today to be aware of their surroundings, especially women. There are a number of sex hungry men out there who will go to any extent to get what they want. Do not leave your drink unattended and party with people you can trust.

Sex Education in School: One of the other reasons why sexually transmitted illnesses is on the rise is because girls today lack communication and negotiation skills. They maybe well aware of sex and the necessity to use precaution during the process, however they may not be educated enough to tell them how to manoeuvre a situation that could get ugly. Women maybe vulnerable due to a number of reasons and if peers around them are sexually active, they too find the need to blend in. Young women will let go if the boy forces them not to use a condom, they will agree and in most cases these are the women who fall prey to sexually transmitted infections.

Parents and Sex: The society we live in today is a little more open and accepting of sex. However when it comes to parents, the prude behaviour of many a parents with regards to sex can deter young girls from speaking to their parents about sex. It is normal to have a boy friend and giving into having sex at a young age is also normal, if that’s what one wants. However not understanding the right way to go about it and the protection that needs to be taken is as good as giving yourself a death sentence. Parents are not forthright when it comes to sex and most children don’t bother speaking to their parents about it because they believe they have enough information from flyers at school or they will figure out the process as it goes along.

While sex education has received a spurt over the last few years, there are a number of other skills that young women need to be equipped with to calm the growing epidemic. STIs are on the rise, and only women can stand their ground, take charge and make a difference.

Kate Smith