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Maturity and Good Health For Adolescents FIRST EDITION
MATURITY AND GOOD HEALTH FOR ADOLESCENTS
YEAR 2021
ACKNOWLEDGEMNTS A.L. T Masego Pamane
This booklet is a critical component of the Maturity and Good Health
Project.
Trainers,
It
provides
stakeholders,
and
the
Scout
Leaders,
participants
an
Trainers
of
opportunity
to
dialogue on issues that affect adolescents’ health, well-being, and quality of life. Baden Powell (year?) once said, “one step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are a boy so that you can be useful and so can enjoy life when you are a man.” (page?) I wish to acknowledge the Messengers of Peace Fund (crowd funding) who availed the resources. I acknowledge the contribution of the Botswana Scouts Association. Special appreciation for the technical support lent by the ToTs, namely Bagadzi Witness Secretary-General of BSA, LT Boikhutso Monametsi
the
National
Training
and
Adult
Resources
Commissioner, ALT Onkarabile Jackson the SDG and Betterworld Framework Commissioner, ALT Gagosepe Rabanyu the National Communications member
of
Commissioner,
National
Training
ALT Team,
Tshepang ALT
Phushudi
Thabiso
Keitire
Southern Zone Youth Advisor, Mr Dikano Itheng Youth Rep to the NSC, Ms. Matlhogonolo Motseonageng National Youth forum Chairperson, Ms. Tshepiso Motshelanoka and Ms. Pretty Rabosigo for their contributions and determinations. A.L. T Masego Pamane Project coordinator
CONTENTS 03 INTRODUCTION 04 BIOLOGICAL CHANGES DURING PUBERTY 06 Male 07 Female 08 Things to consider when you are on your menses -How do I use a sanitary pad -Alternatives to sanitary pads -How to ease cramps, sore breasts, and bloaty-ness during periods
09 GOOD HEALTH 09 PERSONAL HYGIENE 10 SEXUAL HEALTH 11 PHYSICAL HEALTH 12 EMOTIONAL HEALTH 16 COPING WITH PUBERTY CHANGES 17 Tradition Vs Modern ways towards Puberty 17 Myths Vs Facts 18 Peer Pressure -How does peer pressure affect you? -How to respond to negative peer pressure
INTRODUCTION
This
booklet
was
designed
as
To The Reader
part of the Messengers of Peace
This booklet will help you
p r o j e c t b y t h e B o t s w a n a S c o u ts
navigate through puberty,
A s s o c i a t i o n . I t w i l l t r a i n a n d s ta r t
find meaning to things you
c o n v e r s a t i o n s w i t h y o u n g a d u l ts
thought made
in or before reaching the
little sense, and hopefully,
puberty
stage.
Knowledge
of
r e p r o d u c t i v e h e a l t h i s e s s e n ti a l to
enable
them
to
answer some questions you might have
make
informed
To The Trainers
decisions. Young adults’ choices
Use this booklet as a guide
during
e i th e r
on
affect
with
puberty
positively
or
could
negatively
topics
for
the
discussions adolescents.
their
Supplement it with
lives, families, and societies at
fun activities to help with
large.
students’
The
amount
of
m y th s
understanding.
surrounding the stage makes it
When you are done with
difficult for them to reach self-
your sustainability
acceptance. Information usually
training, you could form a
centers on cities and big villages
scout group (where one is
while
not
children
continue
to
ignorance.
in
rural
suffer
The
areas
because
booklet
of
would
there)
or
liaise
with
village leadership to
carry
on
the
project.
further
Were possible to converse
a s s i s t t h o s e w h o n e e d m a te r i a l s
with
needed
counselling teacher to
example, assist
during sanitary
puberty, pads,
for and
add
the the
guidance topics
to
and their
syllabi.
them. PAGE 03
BIOLOGICAL CHANGES DURING PUBERTY Puberty is when a child’s body develops and change as they become an adult. Girls develop breasts and start their periods. Boys develop a deeper voice, and facial hair will appear. Below is
a simple picture to help you explain some changes in the human body. PAGE 04
Male
Female
PAGE 05
MALE Erections can be unpredictable during puberty and may or may not be sexually stimulated. A boy experiencing erections may make you feel embarrassed and think that everyone can notice, Although it is unlikely. It is perfectly normal to have erections and ejaculations (with wet dreams) during puberty. If it makes you feel better, change and wash your bedsheets. Many boys are also conscious of their penis size and may compare it with other boys. Penis size has nothing to do with your manliness or sexual functioning. It is crucial to maintain good personal hygiene and grooming during this stage. Usually, boys also feel attracted to the opposite sex.
Ejaculations and Wet Dreams As mentioned above, when you reach the puberty stage, the change you might experience is wet dreams. You might e sexual urges and wet dreams along with them. While wet dreams are nothing to be ashamed about, the very nature of them could be alarming, especially if when you are still young with no idea what’s going on. Wet dreams are night-time erections and ejaculations that stem from a dream of a sexual nature that the dreamer may or may not remember, “If it’s sticky and you don’t think you peed, you’ve probably had a wet dream,” You remember that not every boy will experience wet dreams so do not be alarmed if it doesn’t happen. PAGE 06
Penile Maintenance Taking care of yourself during this period is very important. Remember to wash your underwear and bed sheets regularly.
FEMALE It is important to learn about menstruation even before you get your period. For a girl having her first ‘menses’, getting the first ‘bleed’ can be a terrifying experience. Understand that what is happening to you is a normal part of growing up. If it makes it easier, use the below illustrations to understand the reproductive and menstrual cycle. Girls have sexual attractions.
The menstrual cycle is a series of natural changes in hormone production and the structures of the uterus and ovaries of the female reproductive system that makes pregnancy possible. Each month during the years between puberty and menopause, a woman’s body goes through many changes to get it ready for a pregnancy. The female has two ovaries, one on the left and one on the right ovum is released once every 28 days from the ovary, the cycle is not uniform for all women.
PAGE 07
Things to consider when you are on your menses 1. HOW DO I USE A SANITARY PAD
2. ALTERNATIVES TO SANITARY PADS.
Period panties
Tampons
Menstrual sponges
Menstrual Cups
3. How to ease cramps, sore breasts, and bloaty-ness during periods. - Eat a healthy diet - Regularly exercise - Putting a heating pad on your belly or lower back - Taking a hot bath - Rest
PAGE 08
Good Health A person’s overall health is about more than the absence of disease. It’s the state of physical, mental, and social well-being. Ultimately, it’s the key to living a productive and satisfying life. (WHO,2015)
Personal Hygiene Keeping clean is an integral part of staying healthy. For example, the simple act of washing hands before eating and after using the toilet is a proven and effective way of fighting off germs and avoiding sickness. Being clean is also an important part of confidence for teenagers. If your body and breath smell good, your clothes are clean, and you are on top of your basic personal hygiene, it can help you feel comfortable with other people.
MANAGING PERSONAL HYGIENE Body Odor When one reaches puberty, a new type of sweat gland develops in their armpits and genital areas. Skin bacteria feed on the sweat this type of gland produces, leading to body odor (BO). If one washes their body and changes their clothes regularly, especially after physical activity, it will help to reduce the build-up of bacteria and avoid BO. Changing underwear and other clothes worn next to the skin is especially important. These clothes collect dead skin cells, sweat and body fluids, which bacteria love to eat. That is why they get smelly. The onset of puberty is also a good time for one to start using antiperspirant deodorant. These products simply cover up odor. Antiperspirants stop BO by controlling how much one sweats.
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Smelly feet Smelly feet and shoes can also be a problem for teenagers, whether they’re sporty. One can avoid this issue by giving their feet extra attention in the shower and making sure they’re scorched before putting shoes on. Alternate shoes and wear cotton socks instead of synthetic fibers
Dental hygiene
Brushing teeth twice a day, flossing and going to the dentist regularly is vital if one avoids terrible breath, gum problems and tooth decay.
Shaving
When one develops facial hair, one might need to ask when to shave and how to do it.
SEXUAL HEALTH Practice abstinence. Correct and consistent use of the latex condom is highly effective in reducing STD transmission. If you have latex allergies, synthetic non-latex condoms can be used. But it is important to note that these condoms have higher breakage rates than latex condoms. Natural membrane condoms are no recommended for STD prevention. PAGE 10
PHYSICAL HEALTH Exercise regularly. Teens should be physically active for at least 60 minutes every day.
Eat a healthy diet. Healthy eating is an integral part of your growth and development. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, a variety of protein foods, and low-fat dairy products.
Maintain a healthy weight. Children and teenagers with obesity are more likely to have obesity as an adult. They are also at higher risk for other chronic illnesses, depression, and bullying. Get enough sleep. Most teens need between 9 and 9 ½ hours of sleep every night. Many average only 7 hours. Sleep has a sound effect on your ability to concentrate and do well at school Keep up with vaccinations. Get a flu shot every year. If you haven’t gotten the HPV vaccine, ask your parents and doctor about it. It can prevent you from getting HPV and some kinds of cancer, including cervical cancer. Brush and floss your teeth. Make it a habit now and prevent tooth and gum problems in adulthood.
Don’t listen to loud music. This can damage your hearing for the rest of your life.
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EMOTIONAL HEALTH Know the signs of mental illness. These include. anxiety depression excessive tiredness loss of self-esteem loss of interest in things you used to like loss of appetite weight gain or loss out-of-character personality changes
PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR MOODS AND FEELINGS. DON’T ASSUME YOUR NEGATIVE THOUGHTS OR FEELINGS ARE JUST PART OF BEING A TEENAGER. IF YOU’RE WORRIED ABOUT SOMETHING, ASK FOR HELP.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. If you can’t talk to your parents, talk to a favourite teacher or counsellor at school. Find an adult you can trust. If you’re feeling unfortunate or are thinking about harming yourself, get help right away. Accept yourself. If you feel you have low self-esteem or a poor body image, talk to someone about it. Even just talking to a friend can help. Don’t bully other people. And if you are being bullied, tell a parent, teacher, or another adult. This includes being bullied online or on your phone.
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PSYCHOSOCIAL CHANGES DURING PUBERTY Psychological changes
As well as growing taller, starting to shave, or having periods, you think and feel differently at this age. You will make close relationships outside the family, with friends of your age. Relationships within the family also change. Parents may become less important in your eyes as your life outside the family develops. Genuine disagreements emerge for the first time as you develop views of your own that your parents may not share. As an Adolescent, you might spend much time in other’s company, or on the cellphone or internet chatting to each other. Although this can irritate parents, it is a vital way of becoming more independent. These friendships are part of learning how to get on with other people and gaining a sense of identity distinct from that of the family. Clothes and appearance are a way of expressing solidarity with friends, although you are still more likely to get their values from the family. As you become more independent, as young people, you want to try out new things but often recognize that you have little experience to fall back on when things get complicated. This may produce rapid changes in self-confidence and behaviour - feeling very adult one minute, very inexperienced the next. Being upset, feeling ill or lacking confidence can make you as an adolescent feel vulnerable. You may show this with sulky behaviour rather than obvious distress. Parents have to be pretty flexible to deal with all this and may feel under considerable strain themselves Adolescence is when people learn about the world and find their place in it. This involves trying out new experiences, some of which may be risky or even dangerous. As a young person, you can crave excitement in a way that most adults find difficult to understand - and exciting activities may be dangerous. Fortunately, most people find their excitement in music, sport or other activities that involve much energy but little real physical risk. When you experiment - with drink or drugs or smoking - it is usually with friends. If a young person does this alone, they are in much greater danger. Warnings from older adolescents will usually be taken more seriously than those from parents. PAGE 13
DIFFICULTIES FACED BY YOUNG PEOPLE Below are some difficulties that teenagers like you face. It is important to note that despite the,popular myth of ‘difficult teenager’, most adolescents do not have significant or severe difficulties.
EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS · Overeating, excessive sleepiness and a persistent over-concern with appearance may be signs of emotional distress. · Anxiety may produce phobias and panic attacks. Research suggests that emotional disorders are often not recognised, even by family and friends. · Four out of ten adolescents have felt so miserable that they have cried and have wanted to get away from everyone and everything. Over one in five teenagers think so little of themselves that life does not seem worth living during their adolescence. Despite these powerful feelings, depression may not be apparent to other people.
SEXUAL PROBLEMS The dramatic physical changes of adolescence can be very worrying to some teenagers, especially those who are shy and don’t like to ask questions. At the other end of the scale, some express their concern with excessive bragging about sexual ability and experiences. The age of consent for intercourse, both heterosexual and homosexual, is 18 in Botswana. It is illegal to have sex if either partner is under this age, even if they consent. Even with the age of consent present, some teenagers engage in sexual activities before 18, and so the risk of pregnancy is an integral part of adolescent life. Research suggests that girls close to their parents are less likely to become pregnant in their teenage years.
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Those who start having an early sexual debut are at greater risk of early pregnancy and health problems. Sexually transmitted diseases are common, and HIV infection and AIDS are becoming ever more common. Most adolescents choose their partners carefully. Sleeping around and having risky, unprotected intercourse are often signs of underlying emotional problems. They may also be the signs of a risk-taking lifestyle - adolescents who take risks in one way and take risks in other ways as well. Sensitive support, clear guidance and accurate information about different aspects of sex are essential, from parents, schools, GPs and family planning clinics. Crushes on someone of the same gender are common in adolescence, but some young people will be gay. Some young people (and their parents) will not be sure whether they are gay or straight.
BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS Teenagers and their parents complain about each other’s behaviour. Parents often feel they have lost any sort of control or influence over their child. Adolescents want their parents to be clear and consistent with rules and boundaries, but may resent any restrictions on their growing freedom and ability to decide for themselves.
SCHOOL PROBLEMS Sometimes a teenager refuses to go to school. This can be because of: · Difficulties in separating from parents. · Being a perfectionist and becoming depressed because they can’t do as well as they would want to. · Troubled family life, with early separation from or death of a parent. · An established pattern may have started at primary school; these children often have physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomachache. Those who go to school but then play truant are usually unhappy at home and frustrated at school. They prefer to spend their days with others who feel the same way. Emotional problems will often affect schoolwork - worrying about yourself or what is going on at home makes it difficult to concentrate. Pressure to do well and pass exams may come from parents or teachers, but adolescents usually want to do well and push themselves. Excessive nagging can be counterproductive. Exams are important, but they should not be allowed to dominate life or cause unhappiness. Bullying can cause problems at school. Around 1 in 10 secondary school children are bullied at some point; about 1 in 20 are bullied every week. If you are worried that this is happening to you, talk to the school to make sure that they enforce their anti-bullying policy. PAGE 15
TROUBLE WITH THE LAW Most young people do not break the law. When they do, it usually only happens once. If a parent doesn’t feel that breaking the law is important, it is more likely that their children will offend. Unhappiness or distress can also lead to behaviour that will get adolescents into trouble with the police.
Eating problems Weight can be a real problem. If adolescents are overweight and are criticised or made fun of, they are more likely to dislike themselves and become depressed. This can lead to inactivity and comfort eating, which worsens the weight problem dieting can aggravate the situation. It is more important to ensure that the young person feels happy with themselves, fat or thin. Many adolescents diet. Fortunately, few will develop severe eating disorders; only around 1 in 100 teenagers develop anorexia, and 1 in 50 have bulimia. However, eating disorders are more likely to occur in those who take up severe dieting, think very little of themselves, are under stress, and overweight as children.
Drugs, solvents and alcohol Many teenagers experiment with alcohol and illegal drugs. Regular use of drugs or alcohol is much less common. Although cannabis has been widely felt to be relatively harmless, there is no good evidence that it can worsen mental health problems in adolescence and double the risk of developing schizophrenia. Despite publicity for other drugs, alcohol is the most common drug to cause problems for adolescents.
Coping with puberty changes 1. Adopt an optimistic view. Puberty is a physical and emotional makeover. 2. Avoid comparisons and resist the urge to focus on your body image. Everyone’s body develops at a different rate and not in the same manner. 3. Get sufficient exercise and rest. Enough sleep will help you less irritable, stressed, and depressed while you’re awake. 4. Challenge the ‘inner critic’. Is everyone watching you that closely? Even if people make remarks about your growth, put things into perspective. 5. Learn how to control your sexual urges so that you do not act on them. 6. Talk to one of your parents and trusted adults
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TRADITION VS MODERN WAYS TOWARDS PUBERTY TRADITION
MODERN
Botsetsi jwa go rafola: The girl child was taken to a kraal on her first menstrual experience early in the morning. The boy sibling would chase the girl by beating her to a house. They used sand soil.
Education: Children interact with parents and teachers to learn about them during their first experiences. They use pads.
Initiation Schools: Boys would go to Bogwera, and Girls would attend Bojale. Circumcision was done at those schools for both girls and boys.
Professionals in medical settings now do safe male circumcision.
Communication: Man could not talk about menstruation or any puberty changes happening to them. It is unmanly to talk about your feeling.
Communication: Man is encouraged to share and converse about puberty.
Myths Vs Facts Myth: Girls who have their periods early have multiple sexual partners Fact: All Girls develop at different ages Myth: The perfect body is a thin figure with hips Fact: Everyone is built differently Myth: You can gain STDs through masturbation Fact: You cannot gain STDs from masturbation, including HIV Myth: Being on your periods means you are dirty. Fact: It is a biological process necessary for reproduction. Myth: Having big breasts means you have allowed boys to touch them, and you can stop them from growing by sweeping them with a traditional broom (lefeelo) Fact: The size of breasts is biologically determined
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PEER PRESSURE
Summary During the teenage years, peer pressure is real and is a powerful influence. There can be pressure to dress or behave in a particular manner, pressure to have a boyfriend or girlfriend, pressure to have a sexual experience. As Teenagers, you will usually put rationale aside and go all out to gain acceptance and approval. You are your friends. It is crucial as a teenager to learn how to make a thoughtful and informed decision. Think about the consequences of the actions you are about to partake in. Peer pressure is difficult to manage, especially for one so young. There are two types of peer pressure being positive and negative peer pressure.
How does peer pressure affect you? Fashion choices Alcohol and drug use The decision to have a girlfriend and boyfriend Choice of who your friends are Academic performance
How to respond to negative peer pressure Negative peer pressure is being discussed doing something you didn’t want because your friends said you should do it. You can resist negative peer pressure in the following ways; 1. The key to dealing with negative peer pressure is self confidence. 2. Be yourself, make your own decisions, regardless of what others think. 3. Listen to your guts. 4. Learn to feel comfortable saying ‘no. 5. Hang with people who feel the same way you do. 6. In situations that seem dangerous, get adult help. PAGE 18