Basic 7 · Social Studies · Adolescent Reproductive Health
Adolescent Behaviour and Responsible Decisions
In this topic you will examine issues of adolescent behaviour such as peer pressure, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse and sexually transmitted infections, and explain how to make responsible decisions.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Identify behavioural issues that affect adolescents
- Explain the effects of risky behaviour on adolescents
- Describe life skills for making responsible decisions
What you already know
- Adolescence and reproductive health
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- FAMILY LIFE
- Sub-strand
- Adolescent Reproductive Health
- Indicator
- B7.2.1.1.1 – Examine issues on adolescent behavior and reproductive health
Introduction
Adolescence is a time of exploration. Some choices made during this stage, good or bad, can affect a person's whole life.
1. Peer Pressure
Peer pressure: Influence from people of the same age to behave in a certain way.
Peer pressure can be positive, such as friends encouraging you to study or join a club, or negative, such as pushing you to smoke, drink alcohol, skip school or have sex. Many adolescents give in to negative peer pressure because they want to be accepted.
2. Common Risky Behaviours
| Behaviour | Possible effects |
|---|---|
| early sexual activity | teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, dropping out of school |
| drug and alcohol abuse | addiction, mental illness, poor school performance, crime |
| smoking | lung disease, addiction |
| truancy (skipping school) | poor results, getting into bad company |
| bullying | hurt and fear for victims; punishment for bullies |
| misuse of social media | cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, addiction |
3. Teenage Pregnancy
Teenage pregnancy is a serious problem in Ghana. A girl who becomes pregnant as a teenager may face health risks during childbirth because her body is not fully developed, may drop out of school, and may struggle to care for the child. The boy responsible may also abandon school. Both families face extra costs. Delaying sex until adulthood and marriage, as most families and religions teach, protects young people.
4. Sexually Transmitted Infections
STIs, such as gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV, are passed through sexual contact. Some cause pain and discharge; others show no signs at first but cause serious harm later. HIV weakens the body's defence system and can lead to AIDS. There is treatment but no cure for HIV. Abstaining from sex is the surest way for adolescents to avoid STIs.
5. Drug Abuse
Drug abuse means using drugs in harmful ways, such as taking tramadol without prescription, smoking marijuana (wee) or drinking alcohol. These can damage the brain, liver and lungs, cause addiction and lead to crime. The Narcotics Control Commission works to prevent drug abuse in Ghana.
New words
- peer pressure
- Influence from age-mates to behave in a certain way.
- teenage pregnancy
- Pregnancy in a girl aged 13 to 19.
- STI
- A sexually transmitted infection.
- addiction
- A strong, uncontrolled need to use something.
Summary
- Peer pressure can be positive or negative and influences adolescent behaviour.
- Risky behaviours include early sex, drug abuse, smoking, truancy and bullying.
- They can lead to teenage pregnancy, STIs, addiction and dropping out of school.
Class activity: Pressure Scenarios
- Read short scenarios of peer pressure.
- Discuss the possible effects of each choice.
- Suggest the best response for each scenario.
You need: Menstrual pad, Bar of soap, Printed puberty-change picture cards
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which is an example of positive peer pressure?
- A. friends encouraging you to study
- B. friends offering you alcohol
- C. friends urging you to skip school
- D. friends bullying others
Show answer
Answer: friends encouraging you to studyGood influence.2. HIV mainly attacks the body's…
- A. defence (immune) system
- B. bones
- C. hair
- D. teeth
Show answer
Answer: defence (immune) systemWeakens immunity.3. Teenage pregnancy can cause a girl to drop out of school.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueCommon effect.4. A strong, uncontrolled need to use something is ______.
Show answer
Answer: addictionDependency.5. State three effects of drug abuse.
Show answer
Answer: Addiction, brain damage, crime (or poor school performance).Any three.6. Explain why teenage pregnancy is risky for a girl's health.
Show answer
Answer: Her body is not fully developed, which increases the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth.Health risk.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- FAMILY LIFE
- Sub-strand
- Adolescent Reproductive Health
- Indicator
- B7.2.1.1.1 – Examine issues on adolescent behavior and reproductive health
Introduction
Every day you make choices. Responsible decisions protect your health, education and future, and they show maturity.
1. Life Skills for Adolescents
| Skill | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| decision-making | choosing the best option after thinking of consequences | deciding to study instead of going to a party on a school night |
| assertiveness | saying what you want clearly and respectfully | "No, I don't drink alcohol." |
| self-esteem | valuing yourself | not doing harmful things to be accepted |
| critical thinking | questioning information before believing it | checking a rumour about drugs |
| communication | expressing feelings and listening | talking to parents about problems |
| goal setting | planning for the future | aiming to complete SHS and university |
2. Steps in Decision-Making
- Identify the problem or choice.
- List the possible options.
- Think about the consequences of each option.
- Consider your values and what your family and religion teach.
- Choose the best option.
- Act on it and later review whether it was a good choice.
3. Saying No
Assertive refusal skills help you resist negative pressure. Say "No" clearly, give a reason ("I want to finish school"), suggest something else ("Let's go and play football instead"), and walk away if the pressure continues. Choose friends who respect your decisions.
4. Abstinence
Abstinence: Choosing not to have sex.
Abstinence is the safest choice for adolescents. It prevents teenage pregnancy and STIs and allows young people to focus on education and personal development. Abstinence is a decision that must be made in advance and supported by good friends, family guidance and religious values.
5. Responsible Adolescents in the Community
Responsible adolescents serve as good examples. They join clubs such as the health club or scripture union, take part in sports and community service, help at home and encourage friends to avoid risky behaviour. These activities build character and keep them busy with positive things.
6. Planning for the Future
Setting goals helps adolescents avoid risky behaviour, because they can see what they could lose. A learner who plans to become a nurse, engineer, teacher or entrepreneur knows that teenage pregnancy, drug abuse or dropping out of school would stand in the way. Writing goals down, sharing them with a mentor and checking progress regularly keeps young people focused.
New words
- life skills
- Abilities that help people deal with challenges in life.
- assertiveness
- Expressing yourself clearly and respectfully.
- abstinence
- Choosing not to have sex.
- consequence
- The result of an action.
Summary
- Life skills such as decision-making, assertiveness and goal setting help adolescents choose wisely.
- Responsible decisions consider options, consequences and values.
- Assertive refusal and abstinence protect adolescents from pregnancy, STIs and other harms.
Class activity: Decision-Making Role Play
- Act out a situation where a learner is pressured to do something harmful.
- Use the decision-making steps and refusal skills.
- Discuss how the learner protected their future.
You need: Menstrual pad, Bar of soap, Printed puberty-change picture cards
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Choosing not to have sex is called…
- A. abstinence
- B. addiction
- C. puberty
- D. pressure
Show answer
Answer: abstinenceSafest choice.2. Saying what you want clearly and respectfully is…
- A. assertiveness
- B. aggression
- C. shyness
- D. peer pressure
Show answer
Answer: assertivenessLife skill.3. Thinking about consequences is part of decision-making.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueStep three.4. The result of an action is its ______.
Show answer
Answer: consequenceOutcome.5. List the steps in decision-making.
Show answer
Answer: Identify the problem, list options, consider consequences, consider values, choose, act and review.Steps.6. Describe how you would refuse a friend who offers you drugs.
Show answer
Answer: Say no firmly, give a reason, suggest a better activity and walk away if they insist.Refusal skills.
Homework
- Write a short essay on "Making responsible decisions as an adolescent".