Court caitlin

Graduating senior 2013 at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. This semester, I am in a class studying youth in various areas of the world and in various contexts. On the whole, I am interested in work involving equality, justice, women's rights, and poverty. My career goals involve working in non-profits to make a difference in the world.

Project Summary

You can see a draft of my article here: User:Court caitlin/sandbox

For my final project this semester, I would like to focus on reproductive rights for youth, including access to contraception and sex education. In order to maintain neutrality, I will be focusing my time on gathering research that documents the current circumstances in varying countries. For example, how are the youth in Jordan viewing contraception and their access to reproductive rights? What are their current practices and how are those reflective of their access to contraception or sex education? I also plan to look at various organizations that are working in those areas to increase access to contraception/sex education. I understand that doing so could be potentially controversial but will be presenting the material in a completely neutral way.

It is my hope that by stating the facts of reproductive rights (what are people doing right now, NOT what should they be doing), people will be accepting of my edits. After posting on the reproductive rights page about my ideas, I already had one editor who commended them and said he/she would be willing to help with editing and corrections. So far, it seems like the incorporation of youth access to reproductive rights will be generally accepted, provided that I approach the topic in as non-controversial way as possible.

As far as the actual research, I would like to look at four-five countries/regions and their practices of sexual education and reproductive rights. For example, I have found multiple articles about Jordan. I also plan to include the United States, as most people view it as a reference point for comparison. In addition, the regions of South America, Asia, Europe, Africa, and possibly the Middle East or Pacific Islands also will need to be included. Because those regions contain many countries that differ drastically, I will probably focus on one specific country or area of the region. If I have extra information about other areas, I will probably put that information on the page as well. My plan, however, is to go relatively in-depth about four-five differing places.

I have done preliminary research and have a number of books and articles as a jumping off point. If anyone is interested in looking at those articles, I can either post the citations on here or we can communicate how to best trade information. Any feedback on this final idea would be much appreciated!

Potential Sources

Lukale, Nelly. 2012. “Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights for Young People in Africa.” ARROWs for Change 18(2): 7-8.

Fried, Marlene Gerber. 2013. “Reproductive Rights Activism in the Post-Roe Era.” American Journal of Public Health 103(1): 10-14. (small section on youth-activism with list of organizations that work to promote youth reproductive rights)

Martinez, Andrea and Phillips, Karen. 2008. “Challenging Ethno-Cultural and Sexual Inequities: An Intersectional Feminist Analysis of Teachers, Health Partners, and University Student’ Views On Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights.” Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality 17(3): 149-159. (sex education and the way it is presented)

Sana, Sohail. 2010. “Interactive Theatre for HIV/AIDS Side Effects on Youth Sexuality Reproductive Health and Rights in Pakistan to Learn and Practice.” Retrovirology 7(1): 69.

Barredo, Joel Mark. 2012. “ASIA: The ASEAN Youth Movement: Driving Towards a Youth-Centered ASEAN.” ARROWs for Change 18(2): 22-23.

Knudson, Lara. 2006. Reproductive Rights in a Global Context: South Africa, Uganda, Peru, Denmark, United States, Vietnam, Jordan. Vanderbilt University Press. eBook.

Khalaf, Inaam, Moghli, Fathieh Abu, and Froelicher, Erika Sivarajan. 2010. “Youth-friendly Reproductive Health Services in Jordan from the Perspective of the Youth: A Descriptive Qualitative Study.” Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences 24(2): 321-331.

Schwarz, Amy. 2007. “Comprehensive Sex Education: Why America’s Youth Deserve the Truth About Sex.” Hamline Journal of Public Law and Policy 29(1): 115-160.

Liliestrand, Vathiny. 2012. “Efforts to Expand Youth-Friendly Services in Cambodia.” ARROWs for Change 18(2): 15-16.

Goicolea, Isabel. 2010. “Adolescent Pregnancies in the Amazon Basin of Ecuador: A Rights and Gender Approach to Adolescents’ Sexual and Reproductive Health.” Global Health Action: 3: 1-11.

Heinen, Jacqueline, and Portet, Stephane. 2010. “Reproductive Rights in Poland: When Politicians Fear the Wrath of the Church.” Third World Quarterly 31(6): 1007-1021.

Yoval, Nayeli. 2012. “Young Women: Essential Agents for the Development of Latin America and the Caribbean.” ARROWs for Change 18(2): 11-12.

Ketting, Evert and Esin, Aysegul. 2010. “Integrating Sexual and Reproductive Health in Primary Health Care in Europe: Position Paper of the European Forum for Primary Care.” Quality in Primary Health 18(4): 269-282.

Baba, Kesaya and Subramaniam, Surni. 2012. “PACIFIC: New Zealand Parliamentarians Recommend Action on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights in the Pacific.” ARROWs for Change 18(2): 21.

Oronje, Rose, Crichton, Joanna, Theobald, Sally, Lithur, Nana, and Ibisomi, Latifat. 2011. “Operationalizing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa: Constraints, Dilemmas, and Strategies.” BMC International Health and Human Rights 11(3): 1-11.

Spratt, Joanna. 2009. “Youth SRHR in the Pacific: Deserving Urgent Attention.” ARROWs for Change 15(2/3): 20.

Parthasarathy, A. and Nair, M.K.C. 2006. Sexual Reproductive Health of Young People (10-24 years). Jaypee Bros. Medical Publishers. eBook.

Note about Resources

I have not yet had a chance to read all the articles for my research. However, I am trying to narrow my sources down to a few select regions. Particularly, America (as a reference), Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Middle East, and New Zealand/Australia. As such here is a more focused list of resources:

Knudson, Lara. 2006. Reproductive Rights in a Global Context: South Africa, Uganda, Peru, Denmark, United States, Vietnam, Jordan. Vanderbilt University Press. eBook.

Fried, Marlene Gerber. 2013. “Reproductive Rights Activism in the Post-Roe Era.” American Journal of Public Health 103(1): 10-14.

Oronje, Rose, Crichton, Joanna, Theobald, Sally, Lithur, Nana, and Ibisomi, Latifat. 2011. “Operationalizing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa: Constraints, Dilemmas, and Strategies.” BMC International Health and Human Rights 11(3): 1-11.

Ketting, Evert and Esin, Aysegul. 2010. “Integrating Sexual and Reproductive Health in Primary Health Care in Europe: Position Paper of the European Forum for Primary Care.” Quality in Primary Health 18(4): 269-282.

Baba, Kesaya and Subramaniam, Surni. 2012. “PACIFIC: New Zealand Parliamentarians Recommend Action on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights in the Pacific.” ARROWs for Change 18(2): 21.

Khalaf, Inaam, Moghli, Fathieh Abu, and Froelicher, Erika Sivarajan. 2010. “Youth-friendly Reproductive Health Services in Jordan from the Perspective of the Youth: A Descriptive Qualitative Study.” Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences 24(2): 321-331.

Lukale, Nelly. 2012. “Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights for Young People in Africa.” ARROWs for Change 18(2): 7-8.

Barredo, Joel Mark. 2012. “ASIA: The ASEAN Youth Movement: Driving Towards a Youth-Centered ASEAN.” ARROWs for Change 18(2): 22-23.

Behold My Work

Below is the rough draft of my addition to the page Reproductive rights. I have a little more research to do and need some more sources to complement what I have, but I am off to a great start and should be done with the entire rough draft by Wednesday, April 24th.

Youth Reproductive Rights Around the World

Reproductive rights for youth are often neglected in the discourse surrounding access to reproductive knowledge, discourse, contraception, and abortion. Different regions of the world treat youth differently with regards to reproductive knowledge and rights.

United States

Contraception in the United States did not become legalized for unmarried women until 1972. Since then, sex has been a touchy subject for all of America, including the youth population. According to 2006 statistics, one in three people in the U.S. will contract an STI by the age of 24 and by the age of 20, forty percent of women have been pregnant. It is important to note that young people in the United States are no more sexually active than individuals in other countries, but they are significantly less knowledgeable about contraception and safe sex practices.

As of 2006, only twenty states required sex education in schools - of those, only ten required information about contraception. On the whole, less than 10% of American students receive sex education that includes abortion, homosexuality, relationships, pregnancy, and STI prevention. Abstinence-only education was used throughout much of the United States in the 1990s and early 2000s. Based upon the moral principle that sex outside of marriage is unacceptable, the programs often misled students about their rights to have sex, the consequences, and any prevention.

Family planning in the United States can be expensive and often not covered by insurance plans. INFO ABOUT ACA and no-cost birth control here.

Europe

Europe, a large continent, has its share of differences among sexual and reproductive rights. However, during the last few decades, family planning has become prominent throughout the region and most taboos concerning sexuality have been lifted or diminished. Youth sexual and reproductive health centers have been established across most of the continent. In Sweden, for instance, approximately 80% of girls and 17% of boys have visited these youth centers, which provide all or nearly all services youth need at little to no charge. Similar centers exist in Estonia, Finland, and Portugal. Views on sexual practice vary throughout the region. For example, in the United Kingdom (UK), sex among youth is generally looked down upon and seen as a problem in need of solution. In the Netherlands, sex between youth is viewed as normal and therefore not discussed in terms of solutions, but rather in terms of ensuring safe practices. That being said, the UK tends to focus on stopping sexual behavior, while the Netherlands focuses on building self-esteem and healthy relationships.

Africa

Africa experiences high rates of unintended pregnancy, along with high rates of HIV/AIDS. Young women aged 15-24 are eight times more likely to have HIV/AIDS than young men. Attempted abortions and unsafe abortions are a risk for youth in Africa. On average, there are 2.4 million unsafe abortions in East Africa, 1.8 million in Western Africa, over 900,000 in Middle Africa, and over 100,000 in Southern Africa. Many unintended pregnancies stem from traditional contraceptive methods or no contraceptive measures. In addition, maternal deaths are high among adolescent girls, due to increased complications.

In Uganda, for example, abortion is illegal except to save the mother's life. However, 78% of teenagers report knowing someone who has had an abortion and the police do not always prosecute everyone who has an abortion. An estimated 22% of all maternal deaths in the area stem from illegal, unsafe abortions.

Youth sexual education in Uganda is relatively low. Comprehensive sex education is not generally taught in schools; even if it was, the majority of young people do not stay in school after the age of fifteen, so information would be limited regardless.

Jordan

Jordan is a low middle-income country with 5.4 million people, with fifty percent of the population being below 25 years of age. Marriage is socially expected with sexuality outside marriage being heavily prohibited, due to the high social and religious value placed on virginity. Issues surrounding sexuality are still very much taboo in the region. A general lack of accurate information about reproduction is present in the country, as public policy concerning sex education in schools has proceeded with reluctance, resulting in an uneducated youth. There is essentially no sex education in the school system; even when curriculum include information about sexual issues, teachers are apt to skim over it, for fear of upsetting parents or being uncomfortable. Youth in the country desire comprehensive, correct, and precise information from healthcare providers, although they rarely report experiencing that. Many youth equate reproductive health with maternal health, not recognizing the connections to themselves before pregnancy.

Accessibility and availability of clinics in Jordan vary depending on location. Some villagers have a hard time making it to clinics, due to the high cost of transportation and the distance that must be covered. Health care centers are often overcrowded and understaffed, with limited hours of operation. Youth report long wait times and unhygienic conditions at clinics. Personal experiences with health care workers vary, with some youth feeling as though they received disrespectful and unfair treatment.

Latin America

Rates of adolescent pregnancy in Latin America number over a million each year. Specifically, in Educador, education and class play a large role in the definition of which young women become pregnant and which do not - 50% of young women who are illiterate get pregnant, compared to 11% of girls with secondary education. The same is true for poorer individuals - 28% become impregnated while only 11% of young women in richer households do. Furthermore, access to reproductive rights, including contraceptives, are limited, due to age and the perception of female morality. Health care providers often discuss contraception theoretically, not as a device to be used on a regular basis. Decisions concerning sexual activity often involve secrecy and taboos, as well as a lack of access to accurate information. Even more telling, young women have much easier access to maternal healthcare than they do to contraceptive help, which helps explain high pregnancy rates in the region.