Sources of sex and sexuality education among adolescents: A sociological study of government schools in Punjab

Pages: 1287-1291
Madhurima Verma (Department of Sociology, University School of Open Learning, Panjab University, Chandigarh)
Amanpreet Singh (Department of Sociology, Punjabi University College, Ghudda, Bathinda, Punjab)

Adolescent sexuality’ refers to development of sexual feelings, behaviour in adolescents. Sexuality is a vital aspect of adolescents’ lives. The period of adolescence is marked as problem area because adolescents are not properly equipped with the knowledge of changes they are undergoing. Further, culture puts strong restrains to discuss openly issues related to pubertal transitions and problems associated with it thus adolescents explore other channels for information. The main focus was on the sources of sex related information used by adolescents in Indian society. A simple random sample of 60 respondents that included 30 female and 30 male adolescents, from ten schools in Sangrur district, Punjab. Questionnaire was used as a research tool to collect information. Adolescents reported that adults usually ignore any query on pubertal or sexual concern. Male adolescents regarded media and friends as the most reliable agencies for addressing their pubertal or sexual concerns. However female adolescents regarded family and school as most reliable agency for addressing their pubertal/sexual concerns. The gender and age differences were observed in the perception of adolescents on sources of information on sexuality.