Adolescent conflicts and problems in relation to Bangladesh

EPG-651: Adolescent Psychology

To Prof. Kamruddoza Begum

Submitted by Oxana Rosca Roll number: 012382 Date: 03/10/2012

Institute of Education and Research University of Dhaka

INTRODUCTION The youth of all cultures undergo a transition passage from childhood into adulthood. As the every facet of our life changed, so did the transition into adulthood. Whereas before, in most now industrialized countries, this transition ranged from brief to almost nonexistent, it is now a significant part of a person's development. It is known as adolescence. In fact the popular term "teenager" wasnt coined until the '50s to describe this new group of people living through adolescence.

In Bangladesh the whole social structure is being shaped by international, economic, institutional, and social influences. The beginning of 21st century has ushered in multiple legal and cultural changes that have an immeasurable impact on the stage of childhood. First, primary education has been becoming a norm (and a law) rather than the exception. Second, essential measures have been taken to prevent many types of child labor.

On the other hand, until recently, the rights and needs of adolescents were largely ignored in Bangladesh. This was especially true in relation to girls, most of whom move straight from childhood to marriage around the time of puberty. They are not informed about their rights, health and gender equality, and they have limited mobility and opportunities to meet and exchange ideas and knowledge among their friends. Restricting the freedom of movement of unmarried adolescent girls outside the home is common in Bangladesh. There are 27.7 million adolescents aged 10-19 years in Bangladesh 13.7 million girls and 14 million boys making up about one fifth of the total population. Most adolescents have limited scope for acquiring knowledge and skills for their self-development and protection.

Secondary level school enrolment is very low at only seven million (38 per cent). The dropout rate in secondary schools is much higher than in primary schools: about 48 per

cent among girls and 38 per cent among boys. Obviously, that would have changed dramatically with promotion of mandatory secondary education.

DISCUSSION Abuse and exploitation An estimated 6.9 million children aged 5-14 years (12.9 per cent of the total labor force) are working and are exposed to hazardous and risky conditions, especially in metropolitan cities. Young girls are always in danger of abuse and exploitation. Inter- and intra-border trafficking of children and women constitutes a serious problem.

Gender discrimination and related violence, including abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and acid-throwing, create a socio-economic context that is challenging the promotion and the protection of the rights of the child. Many adolescents migrate from rural to urban areas, work in precarious situations as day laborers, rickshaw-pullers, domestic servants, hotel boys and garment factory workers. Many are compelled to accept high risk and hazardous jobs, as at transport sector.

Crime and violence This is supported by the fact that crime in West is committed disproportionately by those aged between fifteen and twenty; moreover, 5-10% of adolescents crimes are violent. Thus, in the United States, one-third of all of suspects arrested for violent crimes are under eighteen. However, contrary to popular belief it is rare for Bangladeshi teenagers to become spontaneously aggressive, antisocial or violent simply with the onset of adolescence. Clearly, traditional culture continues to impact contemporary adolescents to

some extent. Nevertheless, peer pressure leads adolescent boys into dangerous habits such as smoking, drinking and narcotic substance abuse.

On the other part, there is a high percentage of offending toward teenagers. In a baseline study conducted by Population Council/BIDS (Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies) in 2002, 72 per cent of girls and 51 per cent of boys aged 13-15 years reported having been beaten by an older member of the family.

Sex and marriage Over 67 per cent of adolescent girls are married. This includes 5 per cent of girls aged 1014 years and 48 per cent of girls aged 15-19 years. About 50 per cent of pregnancies occur by the age of 18 years. Early marriage is a critical issue for adolescent girls.

Only 57.2 per cent of adolescents aged 10-19 years have heard of HIV/AIDS and 30.7 per cent are aware of preventive measures. Data gathered in 2002 indicates that 18.2 per cent of male college/university students visited female sex workers and that 64.7 per cent of them never used condoms.

Domestic violence Domestic violence remains the biggest threat to the security of adolescent girls. Extreme physical abuse at home leading to death accounts for over 70 per cent of reported domestic violence cases involving young housewives and girls aged 13-18 years (1998). Acid-throwing, kidnapping, sexual coercion, induced suicide and rape are also grave concerns that must be addressed.

A major achievement has been the preparation and approval of the National Plan of Action (NPA) against Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children including Trafficking in 2001.

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS Vast amount of the explorations of the nature of adolescence draws on theories that it is an instrument of social change and that it is a preparation for adulthood; it also draws on research findings from Bangladesh to conclude that the adolescents from urban areas fostered by schooling- differ from traditional rural society, by increased age for girls at marriage, and by social change and globalization that promoted the concept of companionate heterosexual relations during the marriage. Hence, systematic and continuous efforts must be implemented to encourage parents to allow their daughters to continue their education, delay marriage, and develop skills critical for their future.

The level, amounts, and types of violence toward adolescents in Bangladesh is an indicator of the general state of morality, law, and order in the country and should be considered as an actual, urgent and inevitable concern for government in terms of the forces shaping modern adolescence.

REFERENCES

1. Ray, D. 2004. Aspirations, Poverty and Economic Change. BREAD policy paper, no 002. 2. Amin, Sajeda, Ian Diamond, Ruchira T. Naved, and Margaret Newby. 1998. Transitions to Adulthood of Female Garment-factory Workers in Bangladesh, Studies in Family Planning 29(2):185-200. 3. Child Marriage, Adolescent Development Program. Available at http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0C DcQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.igwg.org%2Figwg_media%2Ftechupdate childmarriage%2Fchildmarriage_adolescentdevelopmentprogram.ppt&ei=cV9oU M6YGMbIrQf3soHwAw&usg=AFQjCNHw19A30KfUppnkX28SwDnB1DtYDw (accessed on 29 Sep 2012).