reproductive health services for adolescents - Pathfinder International

Module 16/Unit 2
CONTENT
Knowledge/Attitudes/Skills
Training/Learning Methods
(Time Required)
• Adolescents often lack assertiveness
and good communication skills,
thereby rendering them unable to
articulate their needs and withstand
pressure or coercion from their peers
or adults.
• Adolescents may feel pressure to
conform to stereotypical gender roles.
• Young people are more vulnerable
than adults to sexual, physical, and
verbal abuse because they are less
able to prevent or stop such
manifestations of power.
• Often there are unequal power
dynamics between adolescents and
adults since adults sometimes view
adolescents as children.
• Young people may lack the maturity to
make good, rational decisions.
Socioeconomic Vulnerabilities
• During adolescence, young people's
need for money often increases, yet
they typically have little access to
money or gainful employment.
• Poverty and economic hardships can
increase health risks owing to poor
sanitation, lack of clean water, and the
inability to afford health care and
medications.
• Disadvantaged young people are also
at greater risk for substance abuse and
may feel forced to resort to work in
hazardous situations, including
commercial sex work.
• Young women also face gender
discrimination that affects food
allocation, access to health care, the
Pathfinder International
26
Adolescent Curriculum