Teenagers often enter HIV danger zones – high-risk factors that can cost them their lives. I set about identifying some of these high-risk factors with a group of grade 11 learners at West Ridge High School in Johannesburg.
They were invited, as part of a warm-up session, to finish off one of two opening lines: “I can’t wait to leave school because…” or “I am in no hurry to leave school because…”
Typically, learners were looking forward to being independent and making a success of their lives. Two girls wanted to tour the world and another wanted to help the needy. These altruistic aims were in stark contrast to the new set of responses to the following question: “What are the top priorities in a teenager’s life right now?”
Responses included: “social life”, “popularity”, “living in the fast lane”, “indulging in illegal substances”, “having sex”, “loving girls”, “living for the moment” and “parties, parties, parties’.
Next, they were invited to say what they thought about sex before marriage. At this point they were comfortable enough to speak openly.
A range of viewpoints emerged both for and against sex before marriage. Many more learners leaned towards abstinence before marriage, but the norm, based on statistics, tells a different story.
One girl pointed out that a sexual relationship between teenagers is often short-lived. In search of love you enter the next relationship and the next which leads to multiple partners. She thought it was best not to start this vicious circle. Another girl said: “Be honest. Everyone is having sex.” It seemed that by the time you reach grade 12, sexual relationships are the norm.
Modern technology has provided the pill, abortions are available to girls from the age of 12 and the media offers visual lessons on how to do it. Are we left with the ABC to counter these risks? If so, we need to review its efficacy. Let’s start with A for “Abstinence”. In certain Christian states in the United States parents insist on abstinence and exact a binding promise from their daughters. As an alternative these girls engage in oral and anal sex, both of which expose them to sexually transmitted infections including HIV.
What about B for ‘Be faithful”? Countless young, pregnant women faithful to one partner have tested positive at antenatal clinics. Where multiple partnerships are the norm, being faithful does not protect the individual.
We are left with C for “Condomise” – our only protection. As parents and educators we have to take the responsibility for ensuring that teenagers are in possession of all the information they need.
At West Ridge High School some learners revealed that they were misinformed about condoms. They knew from biology lessons that the HIV virus is miniscule, but conclude, for that very reason, that the virus can penetrate a condom. Many believe that condoms are unsafe and likely to break.
But Graham Holloway, responsible for developing global standards for condoms, points out that most condom failures stem from incorrect usage. Sexual educationist Sister Ruthie Loubser provides an illustrated instruction sheet on how to use a condom to learners at her school workshops on sexual health. I followed suit at West Ridge.
In groups learners investigated the pros and cons of using condoms before making a decision on the course of action they wished to follow. Whether the groups voted for or against condom use, each group had good reasons for their choice. A group of boys said they would use condoms to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases including HIV and also to prevent pregnancy because “none of us want 50 children”!
Another group said they would not have sex before marriage so condom use would not be necessary and after having had a child they would use other contraceptives instead. A third group was insistent that condom use in South Africa was non-negotiable. If you’re having sex, you use a condom, they insisted. Even in a marriage, unless you know your partner is faithful to you, you should use condoms.
The topic was thoroughly investigated and learners surprised me with a new point I had not yet considered: “Condoms encourage teenagers to engage in sexual activity!”
Although the learners were not in agreement about condom use, the workshop made them think about safe sex, HIV danger zones and strategies to survive.
Joan Dommisse is an educator in the field of HIV. She can be contacted on [email protected]