WINDHOEK-Because of youth engaging in active sex this leads to unwanted pregnancy, school drop-outs and Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs). Youth Corner’s Pinehas Nakaziko surveyed some youths in the streets for their views of the dangers of teen sex, disadvantages and what must be done to prevent this.
Rauna Ndapulamunye (21): “Unwanted pregnancies can ruin the future of teens. Early or unplanned pregnancies lead to high responsibilities that teens cannot manage to fullfil, and high risk of getting Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs). Some teens become more addicted and this leads to prostitutions and loose of self respect. To avoid all this, teen sex awareness must play a big role in Namibia and parents must give counselling to their kids.”
Ann-Marry Shigwedha (23): “Dangers of teen sex can lead to early pregnancies and diseases such as AIDS. We can prevent this by introducing sex lessons at schools and this must first start from home.”
Tomas Tomas (16): “Sex at early age cause emotional hazards and that’s a problem, because the destructive psychological consequences of temporary sexual relationships are very real. Being aware of them can help a young person make and stick to the decision to avoid premature sexual involvement.”
Junior Sh’khona Nuugulu (23): “Aside from the risks of pregnancy and STDs, sexual activity at a young age sets unhealthy patterns for relationships. Many times when kids engage in this activity they lack the maturity to understand the spiritual connection that is tied with the physical. They become familiar with the body, but not the soul. Parents should provide valuable tools to have that hard conversation with your child. They must offer the basics on what to address, how to talk to them about sex, and even age appropriate discussion levels.”
Andrew Mbago (22): “Sex education must start at home. Parents should be free to talk about sex with kids at home, they shouldn’t only tell them that don’t have sex, but they explain really and give all the necessary reason. Teens involvement in school and sports activities should be high just to cut out some sexual activities. Let the teens visit hospitals and see the AIDS victims, how they are living, after that, I am sure no one want to be in their shoes,”
Sylvia Sylvie (20): “The dangers of teen sex are that it spreads the risk of HIV infections. The disadvantages is that, teen sex can lead to discrimination with peers and to prevent all this, we must all enforce abstinence and encourage female circumcisions.”
Pinehas Shikulo (22): “The dangers of teen sex are that, it may lead to school drops-out, this can be when one fall pregnant while still in school. Parents and teachers should get time to talk to their children openly. Government should also introduce sex subjects about teen sex in schools.”
Maria Shaanika (20): “The dangers and disadvantages of teen sex is failing school. Once the teen get use of having sex at a tender age, they become more addicted and end up forgetting about their school responsibilities. However, sometimes you cannot tell one not to have sex because it’s their choice, but the least we can do is to give them advise and create more awareness on how to reduce the high risk of teen sex.”
Henriete Priscilla Amupadhi (21): “When teenagers engage in sexual activities, many forgot the use of condoms that leads to unwanted pregnancies and STI. This will lead to baby dumping. To save all this, teen must be discouraged as early as possible about all the consequences of having sex at early age. Parents should talk with their children early and often about sex and they must always be specific.”
Pinehas Nakaziko