Sexual encounters during Leavers' Week could be disastrous
Exams are finished, ferry tickets are booked, bathers are packed and thousands of apprehensive WA parents are about to send their school leavers off on their week-long rite of passage.
Standing on the precipice of adulthood and about to leap headlong into the "real" world, the potent combination of alcohol, drugs, toolies and sexual desire can, in a worst-case scenario, lead to sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy or sexual assault.
According to the 2008 La Trobe University survey of secondary students and sexual health, more than half of Year 12s have already had sex. The study also found that when compared to Year 12s a few years previously, now students were less likely to talk to a sexual partner about avoiding STIs or HIV. They were equally unlikely to discuss avoiding pregnancy and how to get sexual pleasure without intercourse, but more likely to discuss using condoms.
The most common reason they didn't use condoms when having sex was that "it just happened". For leavers, knowing what to say and how to negotiate a sexual encounter without the night ending in tears requires some knowledge and planning.
Parents should arm themselves with the latest information, be realistic and talk to their children to help minimise any risk, said FPWA Sexual Health Services spokeswoman Rebecca Smith.
"Kids are having sex," she said. "And they are going to make the smartest, safest decisions if they know what they are doing."
While it's a broad supposition that teenagers are racing around with no control over their sexual desire, it's one that holds some weight, according to Sydney University sexologist and co-ordinator of the graduate program in sexual health Patricia Weerakoon.
Dr Weerakoon, also a medical doctor, said teens were at a high risk of making unsafe decisions about sex in the heat of the moment.
"Young people are risk-takers," she said. "Be very aware that when you are at this age, your brain is sexual but your control mechanisms are not developed."
So encouraging teens to think about what kind of sexual activity they do - and don't - feel comfortable engaging in and how they will negotiate a sexual encounter, as well as having a few handy words up their sleeves, is crucial in enabling them to come home from leavers with a clear conscience and a healthy body.
Phrases like these can be helpful:
· "This is for both of us . . . and I won't have sex without protection. Let me show you how good it can be - even with a condom."
· "I want to have safe sex to protect both of us."
· "I want to enjoy sex without worrying about getting pregnant."
Many parents felt awkward broaching the subject with their leaver-aged children, Ms Smith said. But teenagers didn't necessarily share their parents' angst. The La Trobe study found that in the past six years the number of Year 12s who said they felt confident speaking to their parents about sex, contraception and STIs had jumped about 13 per cent.
"Parents need to provide themselves with an update on the latest details and lingo and leave the lines open for a frank discussion."
A WA program gives high school students straight facts about sex. The Dr Yes program, run by medical students, travels around the State using skits and small group sessions.
Rosanna Capolingua, medical director of the Australian Medical Association (WA) Foundation, said high school students were more likely to open up to the medical students because they were so close in age.
"They relate to them in a way that's clearly different to the way they would relate to a teacher or school counsellor or even their parents," she said.
Leavers were much more likely to enjoy their sexual encounters if they were not worried about getting an STI or getting pregnant, Ms Smith said. "Have a chat about safe sex with your partner before the heat of the moment and if they are anti-condom use, then think about whether that's someone you really want to have sex with."
To gain some control, Dr Weerakoon advised teens thinking about sex to take a step back and several deep breaths before they made any decision.
"Drugs and alcohol will only reduce your ability to control your impulses - it takes away whatever wet rag you have left," she said. "You are basically out of control if you drink alcohol. Do you want to be an out-of-control animal?"
Dr Weerakoon said better judgment and the ability to control impulses did not develop until well into the 20s when the frontal lobe of the brain, the area associated with reasoning, reached maturity.
For more information contact FPWA: 9227 6177
How drinking can harm a teenager's body
Teen brains in jeopardy from alcohol
Does a small amount of alcohol teach teens to drink sensibly?
