European
Approaches to Adolescent Sexual Behavior & Responsibility
Each
summer since 1998, Advocates for Youth and the University of North
Carolina at Charlotte sponsor annual study tours to France, Germany,
and the Netherlands to explore why adolescent sexual health outcomes
are so much more positive in the three European countries than in the
U.S.
Rights. Respect. Responsibility.® The
study tour participants—policy makers, researchers,
youth-serving professionals, foundation officers, and
youth—have found
that this trilogy of values underpins a social philosophy
regarding adolescent sexual health in these countries.
Each of these nations has an unwritten social contract
with young
people: "We'll respect your right to act responsibly,
giving you the tools you need to avoid unintended pregnancy
and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV."
In these nations, societal openness and comfort in dealing with sexuality,
including teen sexuality, and pragmatic governmental policies
create greater, easier access to sexual health information and services
for all people,
including teens. Easy access to sexual health information and services leads
to better sexual health outcomes for French, German, and Dutch teens when compared
to U.S. teens. Click below for more information:
Advocates'
Publications on European Approaches to Adolescent Sexual
Behavior & Responsibility:
- Adolescent Sexual Health in Europe and the U.S.—Why the Difference? (The Facts) [html] [pdf]
- European
Approaches to Adolescent Sexual Behavior & Responsibility
[pdf]
- European
Approaches to Adolescent Sexual Behavior & Responsibility:
Executive Summary & Call to Action [html]
[pdf]
- Teens & Sex in Europe: A Story of Rights, Respect & Responsibility [video]
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