Abstract

MATOS, Margarida Gaspar de  and  EQUIPA AVENTURA SOCIAL et al. Sexual education in Portugal and in several Latin America. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2009, vol.10, n.1, pp.149-158. ISSN 1645-0086.

The increase in STI’s, unplanned pregnancy and other risks related to sexual activity is responsible for selecting young people as an important target group for intervention in terms of sexual and reproductive health. Sex education aims at developing and training attitudes and skills in young people so as to enable them to make wel linformed and healthy decisions (GTES, 2005; 2007; 2007a). This suggests that sexual education should focus on preventive interventions, both universal, including the subgroups related to school life such as school professionals, family and peers, and selective strategies delivered to the targeted sub-groups.This work examines similarities and differences between Portugal and Latin America as a result of the first author’s sabbatical leave. It also gives insight on its consequences in terms of Health and Education Policies regarding adolescents mainly in the area of sexual and reproductive health. Further details of this period may be read in www.umaventurasocial.blogspot.com.

Keywords : Health and education policies; sexual behavior; sexual education; young people.

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