Adolescents need proper health related knowledge
BSS, Rajshahi
Adolescent boys and girls need care, affection and need-based health related knowledge including the reproductive health for their proper grooming both physically and mentally. Health experts, academics and development activists told BSS here that the adolescents constitute over one-third of the total population.
Quoting findings of different research papers Dr Sabina Sultana, professor of Department of Psychology of Rajshahi University, echoed this. On the issue, rational interactions between mother and children should be in the families, she suggests.
She said maximum five per cent mothers share the adolescence related changed issues with their teenage sons and daughters that lead slash negative physical, emotional and social consequences for young people.
Prof Sabina said, more than 95 per cent parents hesitate to share the changed matters. But, they are the key players to give actual ideas about the change factors among the teenaged children.
She added that adolescent period is remarkably a sensitive period for boys and girls. This is the time when many of them commit mistakes due to curiosity and ignorance. Changes in their body structure and hormonal activity surprise them unless proper knowledge on physiology is imparted to them.
Due to proper guidance and suggestions from their near and dear ones especially mothers the adolescents fell prey to various fallacies. Dr Sabina, who teaches child and adolescent psychology, said the adolescents need decent behaviors from their surroundings especially parents and other near and dear ones for their sound grooming.
She, however, said many of our families, even some of the educated ones, remain reluctant to their teenage children along with their physical and mental changes.
Dr Anisur Rahman, Divisional Director of Health, said the adolescent age from 13 to 19 is very important for the boys and girls as they feel physical and mental change during this period.
Surrounding people and the parents in particular should extend cooperative attitude and affection towards the boys and girls so that can feel free to discuss with their parents and elders about the changes in their bodies and mind they experience during puberty.
