According to 2001 census adolescent population in over 220 million constituting about 22 per cent of total Indian population and this number is continuously growing. Many members of this group are handicapped because of nutritional deficiencies and lack of opportunities for getting education in respect of specific healthcare and services.
With enhancing gap between onset of puberty and age at marriage, the incidence or chances of pre-marital sexual activity are increasing day to day. As per recent World health Organisation (WHO) report there is sizeable number of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs) in India.
Over 35 per cent of all reported AIDS cases in India occur among young people in the age group of 15-24 years and more than 50 per cent of the new HIV infections are taking place among them.
Drug abuse among adolescents and gender-based discrimination against girls is a cause of concern. Such a situation calls for educational interventions, as our usual school curriculum does not include crucial elements of sexual development during adolescence, reproductive and sexual health, HIV and AIDS and drug abuse.
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The following are the main considerations, which highlight the need and importance of educational interventions on priority basis :
1. Although biological aspects of reproductive system are included in the syllabi but only information cannot serve as education in these elements. Physiological, emotional and socio- cultural dimensions of the Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH) need to be focused in a holistic manner.
2. Adolescents need to be equipped with life skills so as to enable them to cope with the challenges and pressures of present and ensuing adult life.
3. Educational provisions must be introduced in the school which will help influence adolescents’ attitude, behaviour, value
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orientation, besides, developing in them the needed life skills specifically with a view to providing authentic knowledge to students regarding the process of growing up, HIV and AIDS .and substance (drug) abuse. The educational interventions need to be value based as each society has its practices and norms for desirable and acceptable conduct of individual members which eventually have cultural dimensions.
Adolescents behaviour particularly in relation to opposite sex is, therefore, a matter of social sensitivity. Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH) and education concerning HIV and AIDS related contents should, conform to socially acceptable ways.
In Indian context due regard needs to is given to traditional values of control and sublimation of sexual urges, celibacy, austerity, regular body exercises, marriage fidgety, avoidance of homo-sexual activities besides practicing respect for women (positive gender equality and views), respect for elders, engagement in studies and leading simple life etc.
It is, therefore, necessary to empower adolescents though education so as to enable them to appreciate and manager unwanted and undesirable exposure in proper perspective. This will help check influence of sex related ideas and thoughts available in crude manner through sources like cinema, film magazines, video parlors, internet, commercial advertisements besides, commonly available pornographic material including blue films and sensuous programmes telecasted on domestic and foreign information given judiciously in schools would be contributing towards family health among young generation.