Reproductive Health and Family Life Education: Implication for the School Social Workers

Ojedokun, I.M. (Ph.D) and Mojoyinola J.K. (Ph.D)
Volume 17; January - December 2012 view(s)667 view(s)

Abstract

Poor knowledge about healthy reproductive health lifestyles and family life education contribute significantly to unhealthy sexual behaviors, unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, unsafe abortions and untimely death among the teenagers. Therefore, the youths in primary and secondary schools should have adequate knowledge about reproductive health and family life education and benefit from such issues. The paper discussed some important health issues in reproductive health such as family health issues, contraception, and teenage pregnancies. Furthermore, the objectives and assumptions of family life education which include acquiring knowledge about human development and behavior, understanding family mental patterns, becoming a parent and other family related matters were discussed. It went further to highlight the implications of reproductive health and family life education for the school social workers, which include: provision of adequate information on reproductive health, advocacy roles, community mobilization, health education, community outreach and counseling. It was concluded that, if the school social workers give adequate information or proper education to the youths in schools on how to attain positive reproductive health, many of them will be prevented from unhealthy sexual behaviours, sexually transmitted disease, teenage pregnancy, unsafe abortions and untimely deaths. It was recommended that the school social workers should help the numerous youths in schools by giving them proper health talks or education on various aspects of reproductive health and family life education that can prevent them from unhealthy sexual and reproductive behaviours.

Article Type: Full Text

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