In spite of research showing that young people want
their family doctors to help educate them about
sexual health, clinicians are not likely to provide
this type of counselling. Clinical conversations
often emphasize the risks of sexual activity, and in
many regards, this emphasis is well placed but
recent studies indicate that failing to address
sexual pleasure in relationships may limit
individuals' abilities to negotiate safer sexual
practices.
In a
new study researchers conducted individual
interviews and focus groups with 48 young people
between 16-19 years and with 22 sexual health
clinicians in Victoria, British Columbia.
Most
young people indicated they required information
about birth control and protection from sexually
transmitted infections. However, they also wanted to
discuss positive aspects of sexual health.
Young people requested that clinicians ask questions
about orgasm, desire, sexual behaviour, and
relationship issues.
Young women often described concerns about physical
pleasure that they never mentioned in clinical
consultations. Young people provided specific
suggestions for clinical questions about sexual
pleasure.
In
contrast, most clinicians tended to reserve
conversations about pleasure for adult clients.
Those who were preoccupied with sexual risk
emphasized approaches whose goal was to control or
reduce sexual behaviour, leaving little room on the
clinical agenda for discussing pleasure.
Young
people indicated it was important that clinicians
addressed both the risks and the pleasures of sexual
relationship, relating to their experiences.
Clinicians had their own perspectives, often
reflecting more negative attitudes about adolescent
sexual health.
New
clinical content and new attitudes towards sexual
pleasure should be developed to support young people
in making healthy and responsible sexual choices.
For
more information
Journal of Adolescent Health
Link...
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