Adults generally do not approve of sexual activity among unmarried
youth. Providers may have personal or religious views about
sexuality that influence how they assist youth. Most providers
have difficulty seeing the situation from the point of view
of the young person. Hence, adolescents often hesitate to tell
adult providers that they are sexually active and to seek information
about contraception or disease prevention.
Providers are often judgmental about unmarried women who are
pregnant, regardless of the circumstances of the pregnancy.
Also, providers may not be helpful to young people seeking services.
A study in South Africa, for example, found that even though
clinics were supposed to serve youth, personnel resisted young
people's requests for condoms and provided no instructions on
condom use.
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