Family and Community
Influences on Adolescent Sexuality in the U.S. and Europe
Wide differences in sexual attitudes and practices of families and
communities occur among the United States, the Netherlands, Germany,
and France. In the three European countries, parents and communities
accept youth as sexual beings and accept sexual intercourse as a logical
outcome in intimate relationships. Most adults in these three nations
do not see teenage sex as a problem so long as protection is used. Parents
in the Netherlands, Germany, and France expect young people to develop
a healthy sexuality, supporting both abstinent and sexually active teens
in making responsible decisions.
Dutch, German, and French parents use multiple channels to ensure that teens
are well informed and socially skilled and may provide teens with condoms and
contraception to protect themselves. Parents then trust teens to make good
choices for themselves and to be responsible.
In the United States, most families and communities work to assist young people
to make healthy decisions about sex. Strategies for doing so vary. In some
communities, teens are supported with information and services related to sexuality.
In others, it is believed that teens should not be sexual beings, and the adults
believe that information about sex will lead to sexual behavior and work diligently
to prevent teens from acquiring accurate and comprehensive sexual health knowledge.
Some, seeking to prevent teens from initiating sexual intercourse, attempt
to discourage young people from becoming involved in steady relationships.
Many parents do not provide their children with as much honest, open communication
regarding sexuality as young people say they need. Teens receive little parental
and community support or information about respect, intimate relationships,
responsible decision making, and using protection in sexual relationships.
Some teens in the United States feel alienated from their families and communities
and have little motivation to protect themselves or their sexual partners
A fundamental difference between the United States and the three European countries
emerges in how teen sexual behavior is defined. This difference profoundly
affects how families and communities address adolescent sexuality. In the Netherlands,
Germany, and France, teen sexual behavior is a developmental and public health
issue. The consensus about this demands family and community support and demands
that all adults have a role in communicating about prevention and protection.
Teen sexual behavior in the United States is viewed in many contexts: a moral
failing, a political issue, a private family matter, or a public health concern,
but seldom as a developmental issue. These multiple perspectives create a confusion
of efforts at all levels and provide a backdrop for competing and conflicting
messages to teenagers.
In the European nations, public policy about sexuality and sexual health is
more often dictated by pragmatism and research than it is in the United States,
where a history of puritanism underpins conflicting attitudes about sexuality
and often derails research-based public policy.
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Excerpt from Chapter Five: Family, Community, and Religious Influences on Adolescent
Sexuality of European Approaches to Adolescent Sexual Behavior and Responsibility.
Click here to read Chapter Five in [PDF]
format.
Click here to read the entire monograph in [PDF]
format.
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