Lesson 2: Adolescence and Some (Related) Problems in Bangladesh
A. Warm-Up Activity
QO) Look at the pictures and discuss the following questions in pairs:
a. What does each of these photographs show?
b. What are some typical health problems affecting adolescent boys and girls?
c. Who, do you think, are more vulnerable to adolescent health problems—boys or girls? Why?
d. Why should all of us say ‘No’ to habit-forming drugs of every kind?
Answer:
a. What does each of these photographs show?
- The first photograph shows a woman holding her baby on her lap, indicating early motherhood.
- The second photograph depicts a man smoking, highlighting the issue of substance abuse and its health implications.
- The third photograph shows medicine, which could represent healthcare, medical treatment, or the importance of access to medical supplies.
- The fourth photograph shows a mother holding her ill baby, emphasizing child health issues and the care required for sick children.
- The fifth photograph illustrates early marriage, which can lead to various social and health issues, especially for adolescent girls.
b. What are some typical health problems affecting adolescent boys and girls?
- Typical health problems affecting adolescents include nutritional deficiencies (such as anemia and undernourishment), mental health issues (such as anxiety and depression), risk behaviors (such as substance abuse and smoking), reproductive health issues (including early pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections), and physical health concerns (like injuries from sports or accidents).
c. Who, do you think, are more vulnerable to adolescent health problems—boys or girls? Why?
- Adolescent girls are often more vulnerable to health problems due to several factors, including early marriage, early pregnancy, social and cultural restrictions, lack of access to education, and nutritional deficiencies. Girls may also face higher risks of violence and abuse. Boys, while facing their own set of challenges such as risk-taking behaviors and substance abuse, generally have more freedom and fewer restrictions compared to girls.
d. Why should all of us say ‘No’ to habit-forming drugs of every kind?
- We should all say ‘No’ to habit-forming drugs because they can lead to serious health problems, including addiction, mental health issues, and physical harm. Drugs can impair judgment, leading to risky behaviors and accidents. They can also affect academic performance and relationships, and in severe cases, lead to legal issues and long-term health consequences. Preventing drug use helps promote a healthier, more productive, and safer lifestyle for adolescents.
B. Now read about some typical health problems experienced by adolescent girls and boys in Bangladesh.
i. Adolescents constitute a nation’s core resource for national renewal and growth. Adolescence is a period in life when transition from childhood to adulthood takes place and behaviors and lifestyles are shaped. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adolescence is the period which shapes the future of girls’ and boys’ lives. There are 28 million adolescents in Bangladesh; 13.7 million of them are girls and 14.3 million boys.
ii. The situation of adolescent girls in Bangladesh is characterized by inequality and subordination within the family and society. This inequality leads to widespread practice of child marriage, marginalization or exclusion from health, education, and economic opportunities, and vulnerability to violence and sexual abuse.
iii. In Bangladesh, the legal age of marriage is 18 for girls and 21 for boys. However, 33 percent of adolescent girls are married before the age of 15 and 60 percent become mothers by the age of 19. Research finds that adolescents with higher levels of education and from more affluent families tend to marry at a later age. Boys, however, become ready for marriage only after several years of adolescence and young adulthood.
iv. When a girl gets married, she usually drops out of school and begins full-time work in her in-laws’ household. In the in-laws’ house, she is marginalized. She becomes vulnerable to all forms of abuse, including dowry-related violence. In Bangladesh, it is still common for a bride’s family to pay dowry, despite the practice being illegal. Dowry demands can also continue after the wedding. For an adolescent bride, even if her in-laws are supportive, there are significant health risks in terms of pregnancy and childbirth. The maternal mortality rate for adolescents is double the national rate.
v. When adolescent girls are pulled out of school, either for marriage or work, they often lose their mobility, their friends, and social status. The lack of mobility among adolescent girls also curtails their economic and non-formal educational opportunities. Moreover, they lack information about health issues. According to a study, only about three in five adolescents have even heard of HIV. It is also reported that more than 50 percent of adolescent girls are undernourished and suffer from anemia. Adolescent fertility is also high in Bangladesh. The contribution of the adolescent fertility rate to the total fertility rate increased from 20.3% in 1993 to 24.4% in 2007. Moreover, neonatal mortality is another concern for younger mothers.
vi. While the situation for adolescent boys is somewhat better, many are vulnerable and lack the power to make decisions about their own lives. Many boys who are unable to go to school, or are unemployed, remain unaware of social or health issues. They are at considerable risk of being drawn into criminal activities, including drug and alcohol abuse.
Sources:
- Health Profile of Adolescents and Youth in Bangladesh, Government of Bangladesh, 2007, available at: http://ban.scaro.who.int/LinkFilea/Publication_Health_Profile_of_Adolescents_and_Youth_in_Bangladesh.pdf
- Unite for Children, UNICEF, Adolescent Empowerment Project in Bangladesh, 2009, available at: http://www.unicef.org/bangladesh/Adolescent_Empowerment_Project.pdf
C. Read the following statements and decide if they are true or false. If a statement is false, correct it.
a. In Bangladesh, there are more adolescent boys than adolescent girls.
b. Many girls in Bangladesh get married before they reach the legal age for marriage.
c. A bride’s family has to pay dowry only before the wedding.
d. More than half of Bangladeshi adolescent girls cannot meet their dietary needs.
e. Many adolescent boys in Bangladesh are likely to be involved in various forms of criminal offense.
Answer:
a. In Bangladesh, there are more adolescent boys than adolescent girls.
- True. According to the text, there are 14.3 million adolescent boys and 13.7 million adolescent girls in Bangladesh.
b. Many girls in Bangladesh get married before they reach the legal age for marriage.
- True. The text states that 33 percent of adolescent girls are married before the age of 15.
c. A bride’s family has to pay dowry only before the wedding.
- False. The text mentions that dowry demands can continue even after the wedding.
d. More than half of Bangladeshi adolescent girls cannot meet their dietary needs.
- True. The text reports that more than 50 percent of adolescent girls are undernourished and suffer from anemia.
e. Many adolescent boys in Bangladesh are likely to be involved in various forms of criminal offense.
- True. The text indicates that many adolescent boys, who are unemployed and unaware of social or health issues, are at considerable risk of being drawn into criminal activities, including drug abuse.
D. Column A of the following table lists some causes while Column B lists the effects. Match the causes with the effects and join them to make sentences using ‘as’, ‘since’ or ‘because’.
| Column A: Causes | Column B: Effects |
|---|---|
| i. Some adolescent girls have a higher level of education. | a. This leads to increased mortality rates among adolescent brides during childbirth. |
| ii. Boys are usually more concerned about their financial independence. | b. They have to work all day long at their in-laws’ household. |
| iii. Many girls drop out of school after marriage. | c. They get married several years after adolescence and young adulthood. |
| iv. Married girls have no status and bargaining power in their in-laws’ house. | d. They become victims of domestic violence. |
| v. Most adolescent brides have no or little knowledge of reproductive health and contraception. | e. They have a tendency of getting married at a later age. |
| vi. Many adolescent boys are unemployed and unaware of many social or health issues. | f. They have the risks of getting involved in criminal activities, including drug abuse. |
Answer:
| Column A: Causes | Column B: Effects |
|---|
| i. Some adolescent girls have a higher level of education. | e. They have a tendency of getting married at a later age. |
| ii. Boys are usually more concerned about their financial independence. | c. They get married several years after adolescence and young adulthood. |
| iii. Many girls drop out of school after marriage. | b. They have to work all day long at their in-laws’ household. |
| iv. Married girls have no status and bargaining power in their in-laws’ house. | d. They become victims of domestic violence. |
| v. Most adolescent brides have no or little knowledge of reproductive health and contraception. | a. This leads to increased mortality rates among adolescent brides during childbirth. |
| vi. Many adolescent boys are unemployed and unaware of many social or health issues. | f. They have the risks of getting involved in criminal activities, including drug abuse. |
E. Find out the meanings of the words given below and then make sentences with them:
a. dowry
b. mobility
c. contraception
d. undernourished
e. vulnerable
Answer:
a. Dowry: Property or money brought by a bride to her husband on their marriage.
b. Mobility: The ability to move or be moved freely and easily.
c. Contraception: The deliberate use of artificial methods or other techniques to prevent pregnancy.
d. Undernourished: Having insufficient food or other substances for good health and condition.
e. Vulnerable: Susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm.
F. The text in Activity B has six paragraphs (i-vi). Choose the most suitable headings for the paragraphs from the list of headings below. There are more headings in the box than the paragraphs, so you will not use all of them.
List of Headings:
- Reasons for adolescent fertility
- Concerted efforts to address adolescents’ needs
- Importance of adolescent population
- A process of disempowerment of women
- The curse of early marriage
- Consequences of taking drugs
- Unfortunate state of adolescent girls
- Boys are not free from certain risks
- Violence within the family
Answer:
i. Importance of adolescent population
ii. Unfortunate state of adolescent girls
iii. The curse of early marriage
iv. A process of disempowerment of women
v. Reasons for adolescent fertility
vi. Boys are not free from certain risks
G. One of your cousins living in a different city is a teen now. Write an email to her/him suggesting what to do during this transitional period of life.
Answer:
From: kabir@gmail.com
To: rohim@gmail.com
Subject: Navigating Adolescence with Confidence
Dear [ Sabbir ],
I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to share some thoughts and suggestions with you as you navigate this exciting yet challenging phase of life known as adolescence. This period is crucial as it shapes your future, and I believe there are a few things you can focus on to make the most out of it.
- Education: Prioritize your studies and try to develop a love for learning. Education opens up many opportunities and helps you make informed decisions about your future.
- Health: Take care of your physical and mental health. Eat nutritious food, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. Don’t hesitate to talk to someone if you’re feeling stressed or anxious.
- Hobbies and Interests: Explore different hobbies and interests. Whether it’s sports, music, art, or reading, engaging in activities you enjoy can help you discover your passions and talents.
- Friends and Relationships: Surround yourself with positive and supportive friends. Good friends can be a great source of encouragement and fun. Remember to also maintain a healthy relationship with your family.
- Avoid Negative Influences: Stay away from harmful habits such as smoking, drinking, or drugs. These can have long-term negative effects on your health and future.
- Seek Guidance: Don’t be afraid to seek advice from parents, teachers, or mentors. They can provide valuable insights and help you make wise decisions.
- Set Goals: Set short-term and long-term goals for yourself. Having clear objectives can motivate you and give you a sense of direction.
Remember, adolescence is a time of growth and self-discovery. Embrace the changes, be kind to yourself, and always strive to be the best version of yourself.
Take care and feel free to reach out if you need any advice or just want to chat.
Best wishes,
[Kabir]
Unit 3: Life Style : Lesson 1: Manners around the world
Lesson 1 -Unforgettable History
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