Learning the language of sexual health and sexuality: An exploration of sources of information and adolescent learning about sexual health and sexuality in Santiago, Chile

Sexual and reproductive rights include access to accurate and appropriate information, necessary to make informed sexual and reproductive decisions.(1) In the current age of media globalization and internet, adolescents are exposed to information about sexual health and sexuality from a myriad of sources. The objective of this study is to explore sources of information and adolescent learning about sexual health and sexuality in Santiago, Chile. The study has a qualitative design and includes four focus group discussions and 20 semi-structured interviews with adolescents 16-19 years old, as well as seven semi-structured interviews with key informants working with adolescents. On the micro level, the findings indicate that the primary sources of information for adolescents were parents, teachers and friends, whilst secondary sources included health professionals for females and internet for males. Information provided by trusted sources, such as parents, teachers and health professionals, tended to focus on biological risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, with less emphasis on broader elements of sexuality such as love, attraction, pleasure and relationships. Information was focused on heterosexual relations, thus excluding sexual minority youth and disregarding the spectrum of sexual behaviours. Adolescents learnt about relationships and sexual acts through friends and, for many males, through watching pornography. The findings show a lack of information on practical skills related to contraception, partner communication and setting personal limits. On the macro level, the ongoing gender socialization in Chile, highly influenced by various socializing institutions, affects the way adolescents conceptualize gender and sexuality. This was particularly notable in the way they discussed topics of homosexuality, contraceptive responsibility, female pleasure, pornography, and gender appropriate language and behaviour. This thesis concludes that comprehensive sexual health information moving beyond biological risk is necessary for adolescents to be able to make informed and empowered decisions in relation to their sexuality. Furthermore, they need support in learning practical skills, necessary to build self-esteem and self-efficacy to ensure safe and pleasurable sexual experiences. Working together with adolescents, the current social construction of sexuality and gender needs to be challenged in order to increase gender equality and ensure sexual and reproductive rights for all. (1) Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. (2000). General comment 14: Right to highest attainable standard of health. Geneva: United Nations