Adolescent Sexual Behavior Adolescent sexual behavior is a serious issue because it has major consequences. The consequences of adolescent sexual behavior are pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDS) have a significant impact on an adolescent’s life. Pregnancy alters the adolescent girl’s future for the rest of her life. Sexually transmitted diseases are easier to prevent than treat or cure (Clinton, Clark, & Straub, 2010). Although the teen birth rate has decreased over the years, the United States still has the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the country (McWhirter, McWhirter, McWhirter, & McWhirter, 2013). When adolescents engage in risky sexual behavior, they are more likely
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Confidentiality is a critical aspect in dealing with youth sexuality (McWhirter et al, 2013). Confidentiality is when the counselor does not share private information obtained during a counseling a session (McWhirter et al, 2013). Counselors must disclose to adolescents and their parents about what confidentiality is and the limits of confidentiality (McGhee et al, 2016). When a parent finds out their child is attending counseling without their permission, the counselor might be put into a position where the parent will want to know what their child and the counselor are talking about. The counselor should maintain client confidentiality. Per McWhirter et al (2013), the adolescent’s right to privacy trumps their parent’s right to know what is going on in counseling. Adolescents who are pregnant or who have a sexually transmitted disease may not want their parents to know, so it is vital for the counselor to keep their secret private until the adolescent is ready to share it with their parents. In the case of Amy and Jake in To Save a Life (2009), the lead pastor’s son was wrong for telling the entire school about Amy and Jake’s sexual activity, which resulted in her pregnancy through a flier he had made up. The lead pastor was also in the wrong for confronting the youth pastor about something that was none of his business. Thus, counselors and other helping professionals should meet with their clients in a place where no one will listen in on private and personal
Confidentiality is a critical aspect in dealing with youth sexuality (McWhirter et al, 2013). Confidentiality is when the counselor does not share private information obtained during a counseling a session (McWhirter et al, 2013). Counselors must disclose to adolescents and their parents about what confidentiality is and the limits of confidentiality (McGhee et al, 2016). When a parent finds out their child is attending counseling without their permission, the counselor might be put into a position where the parent will want to know what their child and the counselor are talking about. The counselor should maintain client confidentiality. Per McWhirter et al (2013), the adolescent’s right to privacy trumps their parent’s right to know what is going on in counseling. Adolescents who are pregnant or who have a sexually transmitted disease may not want their parents to know, so it is vital for the counselor to keep their secret private until the adolescent is ready to share it with their parents. In the case of Amy and Jake in To Save a Life (2009), the lead pastor’s son was wrong for telling the entire school about Amy and Jake’s sexual activity, which resulted in her pregnancy through a flier he had made up. The lead pastor was also in the wrong for confronting the youth pastor about something that was none of his business. Thus, counselors and other helping professionals should meet with their clients in a place where no one will listen in on private and personal