title: Having a future: sexual decision making in early adolescence.
abstract: There is meager information about how adolescents decide to become sexually active and use protection against pregnancy and disease. The purpose of this project was to explore the thinking of adolescents, ages 12 to 14, about becoming sexually active and using protection during sexual encounters. In a health class, 45 adolescents responded to questions about influences on having sex and using protection. Short-answer, written responses were analyzed using Heideggerian hermeneutic interpretation. The reflections of youth faced with sexual decision-making focused on self-protection against pregnancy and disease. Postponing sexuality or using protection meant having a future, one that could hold the promise of love, marriage, and desired children.
authors.affiliation: Henderson State University, Department of Nursing, Arkadelphia, AR 71999-0001, USA.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Monsen
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Livingston
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D002648:Child; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011247:Pregnancy; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires