Your shout - Peer pressure and young people’s sexual health

Many young people often feel they must do the things that their friends or colleagues do. Often, this is because their friends put them under pressure. Pressure from friends (or peer pressure) can lead you into starting a sexual relationship that will put you at risk from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). How can a young person resist peer pressure? Here, a young person gives his views.

Did you know that:

• In 2006, as many as 39,003 girls under 18 became pregnant as a result of unprotected sex?
• Whereas young people aged 18-24 represent only one-eighth of the total UK population, they account for about 50% of all new STI cases?
• That having sex without the condom can put you at risk from following infections:
  Chlamydia, genital warts, herpes, gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B and C,

If you are in a relationship

If you are in a relationship, it may be a good idea to:

• talk about the potential consequences of having sex, particularly unprotected sex;
• suggest postponing sex till much later, for example, when you are both older. 

It is always best to not have sex until you are much older. If this is not possible and you must have sex, always make sure to use a condom or femidom. These products are now available free of charge from many voluntary organisations, family planning clinics, college nurses, some GPs and sexual health clinics. Remember, condoms are effective only when used properly.

If you find that you cannot handle peer pressure on your own, talk to an older relative, or a career officer, a youth worker, or a teacher. You can also get advice by contacting the following: THT Direct on 0845 1221200; Brooks Helpline on 0800 0185 023; Sexwise Helpline on 0800 282 930, or visit www.ruthinking.co.uk or www.likeitis.org.uk.

Jonathon
11 Jun 2009 16:17

(by Jonathan Jeremiah Alade, aged 20)

Yo, people! I bet you have heard a lot about ‘peer pressure’. Who hasn’t?

Peer pressure means a push coming from the people you hang out with. So, it’s like, if your mates are doing sex, they want you to do it, too. If they are doing it without a condom, they may expect you to do the same.

Peer pressure can be tricky to deal with. I have in the past been under peer pressure myself. A mate of mine wanted me to have sex with my girlfriend. My girl kind of asked for it, too. I was prepping up for my ‘A’ Levels then, so I told her to hold on for a few months.

She didn’t like that, but I held my ground. Then my mates started pulling my leg, calling me a wimp. I didn’t care! Some of those friends now have kids, yet they are younger than me! For them, life is no longer a joyride. When I ask them about what happened, their answer is: “We got caught up in the moment”, or “she told me she was on the pill!”.

A lot of young people think the pill takes care of everything. It doesn’t, you know. The pill can prevent a pregnancy, but it won’t protect you from getting an STI. Also, many of those friends just talk about sex; they haven’t actually done it. So don’t get fooled. Bide your time.

Another piece of advice: If your friends cannot let go of you, find a way out. You could give an excuse, like: “I’m ill, and the doctor has recommended complete rest for two weeks”; or “I’m going visiting with my parents; we won’t be back for weeks”, something like that.

You can also be frank. You can tell your friends that you really do not want sex because you are not yet ready for it, or that you’re worried about STIs and unplanned pregnancy, or that sex is not the most important thing to you right now. Whatever you do or say, do not allow your friends to talk you into doing something that puts you at risk of getting or passing on an STI.

Posted On: 11 June 2009 at 11:48AM
Tags: peer pressure, your shout

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