Abstract
This chapter highlights the problem of risky adolescent sexual behaviour as both a public health and social concern and the state of the family in the South African context. Risky adolescent sexual behaviour can put adolescents at a crossroads with poor health outcomes that alter their life course. At the time when adolescents are experimenting and forming new relationships including sexual relationships, guidance from the family can help them to navigate this stage of growth. However, the family entity must be conducive for non-judgemental and honest conversations around sexuality to take place. The current status quo is that the family unit is disfranchised, struggling economically, lacking role models and generally struggling to play a critical role in guiding adolescents as they transition into adulthood. The secrecy around sexual matters at the family level means adolescents are exposed to the subject through peers, social media and schools without understanding the full risks involved.
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Notes
- 1.
Black here does not include Indians and Coloureds.
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Chikovore, E.S., Sooryamoorthy, R. (2023). Sexual Behaviour, Adolescents and Family. In: Family Influence on Adolescent Sexual Behaviour in South Africa. Sustainable Development Goals Series. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-50377-1_1
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