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Adolescents ranging in age from 10 to I9 years constitute alarge population group in the world. They number over one billion and thenumber is increasing. Since the International Conference on Populationand Development (ICPD) in Cairo 1994 a radical development has markedthe field of adolescents' reproductive health. Today population studies arecentred more on an individual's rights, needs. and ambitions than ondemographic targets. The present paper is an attempt to study the socio-cultural and gender aspects of adolescents' reproductive health inBangladesh from a process-context approach. This means that theadolescents reproductive health behavior is seen as the outcome of process involving a series of individual decisions and actions occurringwithin social, economic, ecological. cultural and political contexts.Therefore, the needs and aspirations of adolescents are not only determinedby biological and behavioral factors, but through socio-cultural andgender attitudes. Culture specific researches, policies, and programs canhelp adolescents to meet their fresh demands, flourish their innovativeideas, thoughts and equip then: with the kind of education, shifts, andoutlook they need in a changing environment. |
