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Anurag Mishra, M.E. Khan, and
Sudhakar Morankar. "Assessing sexual and reproductive health needs
of young people in Uttaranchal, India."
ABSTRACT
Rationale
It has been now realized that men’s risk behavior often is embedded in the perceived characteristics of masculinity. The desire
to demonstrate their masculinity puts them under heavy pressure,
which gets reflected in risk behaviors. This is the stage where
peer groups are formed and the construct of masculinity is learned
and rehearsed.
Objective
With a view to reconstructing masculinity to promote the
"Responsible Man," FRONTIERS/Population Council conducted a study
to understand the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of
young men and the social constructs of gender identity in which
young men mature and develop.
Methodology
Information from male and female students of 11th and 12th
grades was collected using self-administered questionnaires in a
classroom setting. 234 boys and 189 girls from four intermediate
colleges completed the questionnaires. Eight in-depth interviews and
two focus group discussions also were conducted.
Findings
Findings revealed that socialization and behavior of young men
is now influenced more by peer groups and the media than it is by
parents. The major sources for boys’ learning about SRH issues were
friends/peers (56 percent) and films/magazines (61 percent). Early
initiation of drugs/alcohol and sex was not uncommon. Sixteen
percent of boys reported to have ever consumed alcohol. The average
age of first consumption was 15 years. Twenty-one percent of boys were sexually
active, and their average age at sexual initiation was 15 years. A
strong positive association was found between the masculinity score
and approval of violence for keeping women in control (χ2=23.9, p).
The study highlights the need for interventions to influence men's behavior and promote an image of a
"Responsible Man" who supports
gender equity and denounces risky behavior and violence against
women.
Track 2—Enabling and Realizing Young People’s Potential in Improving
Sexual and Reproductive Health
Theme 2.7—Understanding Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs of
Pre-adolescents
Wednesday, 31 October 2007,
1:30–3:00
pm
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