PUB

LIC

An anaerobic organism or anaerobe is any organism that does not require energy oxygen for
metabolism or growth. It may react negatively or even die if free oxygen is present.

Examples of anaerobic organisms include:

 Actinomyces.
 Clostridium.
 Propionibacterium.
 Bifidobacterium.
 Bacteroides.
 Fusobacterium.
 Prevotella.
=======================-----------------------------
Skip to main content

 Print
Printable page generated Wednesday, 31 Mar 2021, 18:35
Use 'Print preview' to check the number of pages and printer settings. Print functionality varies
between browsers.
◄ Adolescent and Youth Reproductive Health: 1. Introduction to Adolescent and Youth
Reproductive Health (AYRH)

Adolescent and Youth Reproductive Health: 1.

Introduction to Adolescent and Youth
Reproductive Health (AYRH)
Study Session 1  Introduction to Adolescent and
Youth Reproductive Health (AYRH)
Introduction
More than a quarter of the world’s population is between the ages of 10 and 24, with
86% living in less developed countries. These young people are tomorrow’s parents.
The reproductive and sexual health decisions they make today will affect the health
and wellbeing of their communities and of their countries for decades to come.

In particular, two issues have a profound impact on young people’s sexual health and
reproductive lives: family planning and HIV/AIDS. Teenage girls are more likely to
die from pregnancy-related health complications than older women in their 20s.

PUB
LIC
PUB
LIC

Statistics indicate that one-half of all new HIV infections worldwide occur among
young people aged 15 to 24.

In this study session you will learn about changes during adolescence and why it is
important to deal with adolescents’ reproductive health problems. You will learn
about factors affecting adolescents’ risk-taking behaviours and its consequences. You
will also learn the importance of raising awareness about adolescent reproductive
health rights.

Learning Outcomes for Study Session 1

When you have studied this session, you should be able to:

1.1  Define and use correctly all of the key words printed in bold. (SAQs 1.1 and 1.5)

1.2  Show that you understand that different groups of adolescents have different
needs. (SAQs 1.1 and 1.5)

1.3 Briefly describe the biological and psychosocial changes during adolescence.

(SAQ 1.2)

1.4  Explain why adolescents are especially vulnerable to reproductive health risks.

(SAQ 1.3)

1.5  Show that you are aware of adolescent reproductive health rights and the need to
provide appropriate information and services. (SAQ 1.4)

1.1  Why it is important to provide services for adolescents and

young people
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines an adolescent as an individual in the
10-19 years age group and usually uses the term young person to denote those
between 10 and 24 years. In this Module we will use these definitions and also the
terms early adolescence (10-14), late adolescence (15-19) and post-
adolescence (20-24), because they are helpful in understanding the problems and
designing appropriate interventions for young people of different ages. You will
explore the relevance of this classification in greater detail in Study Sessions 10 and
12 which discuss how you can promote and provide adolescent and youth-friendly
reproductive services.

PUB
LIC
PUB
LIC

Adolescence is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood during which

adolescents develop biologically and psychologically and move towards
independence. Although we may think of adolescents as a healthy group, many die
prematurely and unnecessarily through accidents, suicide, violence and pregnancy-
related complications. Some of the serious conditions of adulthood (for example,
sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like HIV; and tobacco use) have their roots in
adolescent behaviour.

Studies show that young people are not affected equally by reproductive health
problems. Orphans, young girls in rural areas, young people who are physically or
mentally impaired, abused or have been abused as children and those migrating to
urban areas or being trafficked are more likely to have problems.

Despite their numbers, adolescents have not traditionally been considered a health
priority in many countries, including Ethiopia. While the country has been
implementing major interventions to reduce child mortality and morbidity,
interventions addressing the health needs of young people have been limited. Young
people often have less access to information, services and resources than those who
are older. Health services are rarely designed specifically to meet their needs and
health workers only occasionally receive specialist training in issues pertinent to
adolescent sexual health. It is perhaps not surprising therefore that there are
particularly low levels of health-seeking behaviour among young people. Similarly,
young people in a variety of contexts have reported that access to contraception and
condoms is difficult.

The negative health consequences of adolescents can pass from one generation to the
next. For example, babies born to adolescent mothers have a high risk of being
underweight or stillborn. They are also likely to suffer from the same social and
economic disadvantages encountered by their mothers. That is why addressing the
needs of adolescents is an intergenerational investment with huge benefits to
subsequent generations (see Figure 1.1).

PUB
LIC
PUB
LIC

Figure 1.1  Young people are the future of societies and their needs should be
addressed in order to have healthy and productive citizens.
If the nation is to address its rapid population growth, it is crucial to acknowledge the
importance of the reproductive health concerns of adolescents and young people,
particularly in their decisions related to avoidance of unwanted pregnancy.

1.2  Strategies for promoting the reproductive health of young

people
The Government of Ethiopia has adopted policies and strategies to address some of
the social, economic, educational and health problems faced by young people.
Currently, national programmes are guided by a 10-year plan which is based on the
‘National Adolescent and Youth Reproductive Health Strategy 2006-2015’. Other key
documents indicating government commitment include the Young People Policy
issued in 2000, the Policy on HIV/AIDS launched in 1998, the Revised Family Laws
amended in 2000 to protect young women’s rights, (for example against forced
marriages), and the Revised Penal Code, which penalises sexual violence and many
harmful traditional practices.

When developing and implementing interventions you need to take into account that
while many adolescents and young people share common characteristics, their needs
vary by age, sex, educational status, marital status, migration status and residence.
When developing and implementing interventions you need to appreciate that you will
have to work in different ways with different age groups.

An activity that is suitable for those in early adolescence (10-14 years old) may not be
suitable for those in post-adolescence (20-24 years old). For instance, those in their
early adolescence are more likely to be in primary schools, not yet married and hence

PUB
LIC
PUB
LIC

less likely to have started sexual relationships, all of which determine the type of
information and services that would be appropriate for them.

You need to give special attention to these vulnerable young adolescents (aged 10-14)
and those at risk of irreversible harm to their reproductive health and rights (e.g.
through forced sex, early marriage, poverty-driven exchanges of sex for gifts or
money, and violence). As has already been mentioned, some groups are more
vulnerable than others and it is to vulnerable individuals that you need to offer most
help. In this Module you will gain an understanding of who these vulnerable
individuals are and insight into their difficulties, and you will learn how you can help
them.

You may have already recognised that men and women are not treated equally in your
community. In general, girls and women are treated as inferior and they are given
fewer privileges and less access to resources. The roles they have within your
community are different to the roles given to men. Gender refers to the socially and
culturally defined roles for males and females. These roles are learned over time, can
change from time to time, and vary widely within and between cultures. In Study
Session 6 there will be a discussion of the way that women are treated unfairly
because of the way they are viewed within many communities. This gender inequality
means that girls and women need your help to safeguard their sexual and reproductive
health to a greater extent than do young boys and men.

In this Module you will also learn how you can help provide a group of services for
young people, such as counselling, family planning, voluntary counselling and testing
for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, maternal and child health,
and post-abortion care. You will learn how to involve other members of your
community and how to find ways of working with them and you will recognise when
you need to refer individuals for help at the next level of health facility.

1.3  Protecting adolescent sexual and reproductive health

Adolescent sexual and reproductive health refers to the physical and emotional
wellbeing of adolescents and includes their ability to remain free from unwanted
pregnancy, unsafe abortion, STIs (including HIV/AIDS), and all forms of sexual
violence and coercion.

One of the important concerns of young people is their sexual relationships. In

particular, young people need to know how they can maintain healthy personal

PUB
LIC
PUB
LIC

relationships. It is important to keep in mind that sex is never 100% ‘safe’, but you
can advise young people on how to make sex as safe as they possibly can. That is why
you should always talk about ‘safer’ sex and not ‘safe sex’.

As a Health Extension Practitioner, you need to educate young people in what

constitutes safer sex and the consequences of unsafe sexual practices. Safer sex is
anything that can be done to lower the risk of STIs/HIV and pregnancy without
reducing pleasure. The term reflects the idea that choices can be made and behaviours
adopted to reduce or minimise risk.

Sexual activities may be defined as high risk, medium risk, low risk, or no risk based
on the level of risk involved in contracting HIV or other STIs.

No risk
There are many ways to share sexual feelings that are not risky. Some of them include
hugging, holding hands, massaging, rubbing against each other with clothes on,
sharing fantasies, and self-masturbation.

Low risk
There are activities that are probably safe, such as using a condom for every act of
sexual intercourse, masturbating your partner or masturbating together as long as
males do not ejaculate near any opening or broken skin on their partners.

Medium risk
There are activities that carry some risk, such as introducing an injured finger into the
vagina. Note that having sexual intercourse with improper use of a condom also
carries a risk of HIV/STI transmission.

High risk
There are activities that are very risky because they lead to exposure to the body fluids
in which HIV lives. This refers to having unprotected sexual intercourse.

Dual protection is the consistent use of a male or female condom in combination

with a second contraceptive method, such as oral contraceptive pills. Often young
people come to a healthcare facility for contraception and are given a method that
protects them only from pregnancy. As a healthcare provider, you should ensure that
all young people are using a method or combination of methods that protect them
from both pregnancy and STIs/HIV to minimise their risk to the lowest level possible.

PUB
LIC
PUB
LIC

Box 1.1 shows important components of adolescent and youth reproductive health
programmes that should be available to all young people.

Box 1.1  Services that should be provided for young people

 Information and counselling on sexual and reproductive health issues
 Promotion of healthy sexual behaviours
 Family planning information, counselling and methods of contraception
(including emergency contraceptive methods)
 Condom promotion and provision
 Testing and counselling services for pregnancy, HIV and other STIs
 Management of STIs
 Antenatal care (ANC), delivery services, postnatal care (PNC) and
pregnant mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT)
 Abortion and post-abortion care
 Appropriate referral linkage between health facilities at different levels.
1.4  Biological and psychosocial changes during adolescence
For young people, adolescence is all about change: in the way they think, in their
bodies and in how they relate to others. As a Health Extension Practitioner it is
important for you to know these changes in order to understand the special needs of
young people and provide appropriate services.

1.4.1  Changes in thinking and reasoning (cognition)

Children tend to be concrete thinkers, mostly relying on literal, straightforward
interpretation of ideas. In adolescence they become abstract thinkers, as they begin
to be able to think abstractly and to conceptualise abstract ideas such as love, justice,
fairness, truth and spirituality.

They start to analyse situations logically in terms of cause and effect, think about their
futures, evaluate alternatives, set personal goals and make mature decisions.

As their abilities to think and reason increase, adolescents will become increasingly
independent, and take on increased responsibilities. They will also often challenge the
ideas of the adults in their community and this can lead to friction (see Figure 1.2).

PUB
LIC
PUB
LIC

Figure 1.2  Son disobeying his father’s commands.

1.4.2  Physical changes
Puberty is the time in which sexual and physical characteristics mature (see Figure
1.3). The exact age a child enters puberty depends on a number of different things,
such as genes, nutrition and sex. Most girls and boys enter puberty between 10-16
years of age although some start earlier or later. Girls tend to enter puberty two years
before boys.

Figure 1.3  Young people at different age groups (showing physical changes) at ages
10-14, 15-19 and 20-24 from the left to the right.
Box 1.2 details the main physical changes that occur during puberty in males and
females. It is the changing hormonal activity within their bodies that brings about
these changes.

Box 1.2  Physical changes during adolescence

Physical changes observed in females:
 Skin becomes oily, sometimes with pimples and acne
 Hair grows under arms, pubic area, legs
 Breasts grow
 Hips broaden, weight and height increase, hands, feet, arms, and legs
become larger
 Perspiration increases and body odour may appear

PUB
LIC
PUB
LIC

 Voice deepens
 Menstruation begins, more wetness in the vaginal area.
Physical changes observed in males:
 Skin becomes oily, sometimes with pimples and acne
 Hair grows under arms, pubic areas, legs, chest, face
 Muscles especially in legs and arms get bigger and stronger
 Shoulders and chest broaden, weight and height increase, hands, feet, arms
and legs become larger
 Perspiration increases and body odour may appear
 Voice cracks and then deepens
 Penis and testicles grow and begin to hang down
 Wet dreams and erection occur frequently
 Ejaculation occurs during sexual climax.
1.4.3  Social and emotional changes
As adolescents grow physically they also think and feel differently. Box 1.3 details
the main social and emotional changes that take place. Some of these changes in the
way they think are a consequence of growing older and learning more about the world
and the way other people think and behave. But changes in the way they feel are more
likely to be a consequence of the hormonal changes in their bodies. These changed
feelings can often be a source of confusion and unhappiness. In this Module you will
learn how you can help young people to prepare for these changes and to understand
them.

Box 1.3  Social and emotional changes during puberty

 Starting to think independently/make decisions for themselves
 Starting to have sexual feelings
 Experimentation and curiosity (sexual intercourse, alcohol, drugs and other
stimulants)
 Friends may matter more than they used to (what they wear, do, how they
speak and use language – e.g. slang and informal speech)
 Mood changes

PUB
LIC
PUB
LIC

 Need for privacy

 Concern about body image, need to be seen as attractive and able to
sexually attract people
 Need to break social sanctions and laws
 Disrespect for authority including parental supervision
 Argumentative and aggressive behaviours become evident and often
disturb parents and teachers
 Delinquency/law-breaking activities
 Political extremism.
1.5  Why adolescents are especially vulnerable to reproductive
health risks
Stop reading for a moment and think about this from your own experience. Why do
you think adolescents exhibit more risk-taking behaviour than children or adults?
Although adolescents tend to be less informed than adults they often have a sense of
having unlimited power, feelings of invulnerability and impulsiveness that can lead to
reckless behaviour. They are curious and have a natural inclination to experiment.
There is conflict between their own emerging values and beliefs and those of their
parents and so adolescents may be trying to demonstrate these differences by
experimenting with drugs and law-breaking activities.

1.6  The reproductive health situation for adolescents in

Ethiopia
According to the Census conducted in 2007, Ethiopia has a population that is
predominantly young (40% below the age of 15) and rural, with a high level of
fertility (5.4 children per woman), early age of marriage (16 years) and a low level of
contraceptive use (14%). This signifies the potential for considerable population
growth for the coming years.

Young people, aged 10 to 24 years, constitute 32% of the total population, which was
estimated to be around 27 million in July 2010. Ethiopia has one of the highest
population growth rates in the world (2.6% per year), which has put substantial
pressure on the health sector to meet the needs of the population. Projecting from the

PUB
LIC
PUB
LIC

2007 census, around 62% of the Ethiopian population were estimated to be less than
25 years of age in 2010.

Close to half the Ethiopian population (47%) lives below the poverty line, earning less
than one US dollar per day. Unemployment is high, the young accounting for the
majority of job-seekers.

In Ethiopia, girls have their sexual debut (first sexual experience) on average at the

age of 16 years - around 5 years earlier than boys. Most girls (94%) have their sexual
debut within marriage. Over a quarter of pregnant young women have unwanted
pregnancies and there are therefore high abortion rates. Studies indicate that girls in
late adolescence (aged 15-19 years) are twice as likely to experience obstetric fistula
(explained in Study Session 5) compared with other women of reproductive age. Over
half (54%) of pregnancies to girls under 15 are unwanted compared with 37% for
those aged 20-24.

 How would you explain the high rate of unwanted pregnancies for girls under
15?

Reveal answer

1.7  Reproductive health rights of adolescents and young people

Reproductive health rights refer to those rights specific to personal decision making
and behaviour, including access to reproductive health information and services with
guidance provided by trained health professionals.

The Ethiopian Government has endorsed all major international conventions

concerning reproductive health rights, including those that are specific to adolescents
and young people. For example, the Revised Family Law prohibits marriage of both
boys and girls before the age of 18 years. Box 1.4 details all the rights for adolescents
and young people which are applicable in Ethiopia.

Box 1.4  Reproductive health rights of adolescents and young

people
 The right to information and education about sexual and reproductive
health (SRH) services.
 The right to decide freely and responsibly on all aspects of one’s sexual
behaviour.

PUB
LIC
PUB
LIC

 The right to own, control, and protect one’s own body.

 The right to be free of discrimination, coercion and violence in one’s
sexual decisions and sexual life.
 The right to expect and demand equality, full consent and mutual respect
in sexual relationships.
 The right to the full range of accessible and affordable SRH services
regardless of sex, creed, belief, marital status or location.
These services include:
 Contraception information, counselling and services (you will study the
contraceptive options for young people in Study Session 8)
 Prenatal, postnatal and delivery care
 Healthcare for infants
 Prevention and treatment of reproductive tract infections (RTIs)
 Safe abortion services as permitted by law, and management of abortion-
related complications
 Prevention and treatment of infertility
 Emergency services.
Summary of Study Session 1
In Study Session 1, you have learned that:

1. Adolescence is the period between 10 and 19 years of age (early

adolescence is 10-14 years, late adolescence is 15-19 years and post-
adolescence is 20-24 years old). Young people are those aged 10-24 years.
2. Adolescents undergo significant physical, intellectual and psychosocial
changes as they move into adulthood.
3. In the process of moving toward independence, young people tend to
experiment and test limits, including practising risky behaviour. This makes
them especially vulnerable to reproductive health problems.
4. Not all young people are equally affected by negative reproductive health
problems. Services need to be targeted toward the most vulnerable, who
include young girls in rural areas and orphans.

PUB
LIC
PUB
LIC

5. Ethiopia has a population that is predominantly young and likely to grow

considerably in the coming years because of the early age of marriage and
low levels of contraceptive use.
6. Adolescents and young people have the right to accurate information and
appropriate reproductive health services. Laws protect young people’s
rights.
Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 1
Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have
achieved its Learning Outcomes by answering these questions. Write your answers in
your Study Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next Study Support
Meeting. You can check your answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment
Questions at the end of this Module.

First read Case Study 1.1 and then answer the questions that follow it.

Case Study 1.1  Abebe’s story

Abebe is a 17-year-old boy living with his family and siblings. Recently he has
become concerned by the erratic change in his voice which has embarrassed him
when he is talking to people. He has also noticed that he is developing feelings of love
and affection for one of the girls in his neighbourhood. His family are worried by the
fact that he prefers to spend most of his time with his friends, occasionally coming
back late at night without asking permission.

SAQ 1.1 (tests Learning Outcome 1.1)

How would you classify Abebe’s age group?

Answer
Abebe is 17 years old so he is in the late adolescence period.

SAQ 1.2 (tests Learning Outcome 1.3)

Read the description of Abebe again and identify one physical change associated with
adolescence and one psychosocial change.

Answer
The change in his voice is a physical change. His interest in girls is a psychosocial
change.

PUB
LIC
PUB
LIC

SAQ 1.3 (tests Learning Outcome 1.4)

Explain whether Abebe is at risk of engaging in risky behaviour.

Answer
Abebe is spending more time with his friends and staying out late without parental
permission. It seems he might succumb to peer pressure to experiment with substances
and indulge in other reckless behaviour as his behaviour is already worrying his
parents.

SAQ 1.4 (tests Learning Outcomes 1.1 and 1.5)

What kinds of information and/or counselling might be most helpful to Abebe to
protect his sexual and reproductive health?

Answer
Abebe should learn about the dangers of unprotected sex. He should know how STIs
including HIV are acquired and how to protect himself by using a condom.

SAQ 1.5 (tests Learning Outcomes 1.1 and 1.2)

How might the concerns of a girl of Abebe’s age be different?

Answer
In general girls have their first sexual experience earlier than boys (at 16 years old) so
the concerns of a girl of the same age may centre on unwanted pregnancy. However,
she should also be aware of the risks of STIs and needs to be encouraged to obtain
dual protection (from pregnancy and from STIs).

◄ Adolescent and Youth Reproductive Health: 1. Introduction to Adolescent and Youth

Reproductive Health (AYRH)
Except for third party materials and/or otherwise stated (see terms and conditions) the content in
OpenLearn is released for use under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-Sharealike 2.0 licence. In short this allows you to use the content throughout the
world without payment for non-commercial purposes in accordance with the Creative Commons non

PUB
LIC
PUB
LIC

commercial sharealike licence. Please read this licence in full along with OpenLearn terms and
conditions before making use of the content.
When using the content you must attribute us (The Open University) (the OU) and any identified
author in accordance with the terms of the Creative Commons Licence.
The Acknowledgements section is used to list, amongst other things, third party (Proprietary),
licensed content which is not subject to Creative Commons licensing. Proprietary content must be
used (retained) intact and in context to the content at all times. The Acknowledgements section is
also used to bring to your attention any other Special Restrictions which may apply to the content.
For example there may be times when the Creative Commons Non-Commercial Sharealike licence
does not apply to any of the content even if owned by us (the OU). In these stances, unless stated
otherwise, the content may be used for personal and non-commercial use. We have also identified
as Proprietary other material included in the content which is not subject to Creative Commons
Licence. These are: OU logos, trading names and may extend to certain photographic and video
images and sound recordings and any other material as may be brought to your attention.
Unauthorised use of any of the content may constitute a breach of the terms and conditions and/or
intellectual property laws.
We reserve the right to alter, amend or bring to an end any terms and conditions provided here
without notice.
All rights falling outside the terms of the Creative Commons licence are retained or controlled by The
Open University.
Head of Intellectual Property, The Open University
=======---------

Introduction
Adolescence is the process of transformation of an individual from childhood to
adulthood.

Adolescence is a stage in life that every human adult passes through. At this stage,
sexual maturity is reached.

Females will experience breast enlargement whilst males will experience enlargement
of testes and penis.

Adolescent develop an attraction for the opposite sex. Parental guidance in this stage
is very important. Parents and family members must educate adolescents on
reproductive health.

In this lesson, you will learn about adolescence and reproductive health in
adolescents.

Adolescent reproductive health

The stage at which a person moves from childhood to adulthood is termed
adolescence. During this stage there is a physical, emotional and psychological
change that occurs. Every individual, boy or girl goes through this process. With boys,

PUB
LIC
PUB
LIC

pubic hair at the armpit and face, enlargement of testes and penis, the breaking of
voice, broadening of the chest are just a few of the changes that occur in boys.
Whereas with girls, the breast develops, there is the broadening of the hips, growth in
weight and height and most importantly menstruation starts.

The monthly flow of blood through the vagina of a woman is referred to

as menstruation or period. Its occurrence is due to the shedding of the lining of the
uterus (womb).

During adolescence of a girl, the following emotional and psychological changes are
noted. Feeling of attachment to opposite sex (love), easily getting annoyed, feeling of
excitement in social activities and adventurous feelings are common with girls.

Reproductive Health
This is a condition where a person is completely well with issues relating to the
reproductive system and its function and processes

Reproductive health is the state of complete knowledge of one self, value, skills and
safe sexual life thus avoiding irresponsible adolescent problems

Going contrary to reproductive health could result in irresponsible adolescent

behaviour

Causes of Irresponsible Adolescent

Behaviour
 When parents refuse to perform their duties such as providing food, clothing
etc. to children, the ladies may seek financial and emotional support from other
sources and boys may fall into bad social vices

 Peer group pressure from colleagues to engage in drug abuse, steal, drinking
alcohol causes bad adolescent behaviour

 Broken homes: When parents are no longer staying together. Children in turn
stay with either of them and when complete care is not granted, bad behaviours set in

 Some television shows, magazines, adverts and movies tend to show nude
and explicit pictures. This can influence young children to practice what they see.

Effects/ Results of Irresponsible

Adolescent Behaviour

PUB
LIC
PUB
LIC

1. Dropping out of school through suspension when one gets pregnant is one
result of bad adolescent behaviour
2. Contracting sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS, syphilis etc.
3. Death results easily when one is shot during armed robbery attacks.
4. Mental illness and other consequences result from drug abuse.

Chastity
Chastity is the total abstinence from sex and sexually related activities. Though
difficult, monks and others vow to remain chaste

As an adolescent, remaining pure and avoiding sexually related issues has so many
benefits.

NB: Remaining pure and avoiding sexually related activities does not mean one must
not educate him/herself about sexual related activities and good adolescent
behaviour.

Benefits of Adolescent Chastity

1. Adolescents who live a chaste life keep their focus in life.
2. Since unwanted pregnancy is avoided, their education is uninterrupted.
3. Self-honour and self-confidence is developed very strongly.
4. Staying chaste is a great sign of discipline; ladies get responsible partners.
5. They earn respect from adults and the community.

Ways of Staying Chaste

1. Our way of dressing is very key to keeping chaste and avoiding the enticement
of the opposite sex
2. Bad company corrupts good minds. As such, bad friends must be avoided as
much as possible
3. The confidence to say ‘’NO’’ to pre-marital sex
4. Seek counselling from parents /guardians and trusted elders instead of peers

Summary
Adolescent stage is a rapid growth after childhood stage.

Both boys and girls undergo physical changes in the adolescence stage. They always
want to explore in this stage. Adolescent boys and girls hardly adhere to advice from
people but parents must advice their children on how to live a chaste life.

PUB
LIC
PUB
LIC

Chastity will help the adolescent boy and girl to concentrate on his or her life.

PUB
LIC
PUB
LIC

Write a composition (350 - 400 words)

Write an original short story that begins with the words : "The day started off well
enough, whoever thought it would __________"

Answer
The day started off well enough, whoever thought it would turn out to be so bad.
Well, it was the month of May and our vacation had just begun, it was the day when
we were due to leave for Darjeeling. We packed our luggage and moved to the
railway station which was about a ten-minute drive from our house.
      It must have been about half past twelve and our train was scheduled to arrive at
one o'clock at the Agra Cantt railway station. We had almost reached the station
when my mother recalled that she had left the gas stove on. So we had no choice but
to return. When we reached home, I rushed in and immediately switched off the
knobs of the gas stove.
      My brother checked the status of our train just in case and we learnt that the
train was three hours behind schedule due to some technical issue. It was decided
that we will wait in the house rather than sit at the station. 
      Without off-loading our luggage, we went into our house and decided to relax till
then. Just then I heard the murmur of water. When I checked, I was astounded to
find a major water leakage in our bathroom due to which the bathroom was filled
with several inches of water. I immediately contacted the plumber as I knew that in a
matter of minutes, the whole house would be flooded with water.
       The plumber didn't take long and arrived within fifteen minutes. He checked
the leakage and told us that a pipe in the bathroom had burst open which was
causing the leakage. He said that he'll be able to fix. it in an hour or so, we
reluctantly agreed. The plumber took nearly two hours to repair it. We quickly paid
him his charges, locked the house and set out for the station with only twenty
minutes to spare. 
        Adding insult to injury, we were stuck in a traffic jam. It was as if all the
problems in the world had broken on us. We faced red lights at all signals. Facing a
lot of difficulties, we somehow managed to reach the station.
We ran as fast we could towards the platform, desperately trying to make our way
through the hustle and bustle of the platforms, but to our despair what we could only
manage to see was the back of the train and hear the hoot of the engine. To our
horror, we realized that we had missed our train and our trip to Darjeeling as well. 
       We returned home deeply saddened by the incident. I've had a lot of bad days in
life, but it was by far the worst day of my life and I hope that such an incident never
happens again.

PUB
LIC