The study also showed that discussing sensitive issues with parents was higher
among girls than among boys.
The study titled 'Quote. .Unquote: Reaching Out' used data collected from 121
females and 120 males in Delhi and 37 females and 61 males in Bhopal between
April and July this year. A majority of the students came from coeducation
schools.
The research was carried out by a group of young people from the two cities
along with professional guidance of senior experts Mr Deepak Gupta,
International Development Consultant, New Delhi, and Mr DK Gupta, Quantitative
Modeling and Social Research Expert, North Carolina, USA.
Figures show that the number of males in Delhi who consume alcohol was over six
times the number in Bhopal. Smokers in Delhi, too, outnumbered those in the
other city by three times.
Physical contact like kissing, hugging and touching were quite normal for Delhi
males but only 36 per cent from Bhopal approved of such gestures. The females,
too, were quite conventional in their views and only 27 per cent felt that such
gestures were appropriate.
As far as physical relationships are concerned, 48 per cent Delhi males feel
that they were not ready for a sexual relationship, and the figures rose higher
to 75 per cent for their counterparts in Bhopal. However, over 90 per cent
respondents did have a casual relationship.
Females from Bhopal were very firm on the issue of sex before marriage while
those from Delhi seemed to be quite lenient about it. Virginity and celibacy,
too, were very important for them.
Despite differences in opinion and knowledge, the respondents were unanimous in
their complain that they feel neglected.
A disturbing revelation was that most of the participants gained sex related
knowledge from friends, magazines and films, and not teachers, parents or
counsellors. But the blame also goes to the schools. Only six per cent from
Bhopal reported any kind of health education programmes in their school. Though
the figures were much higher in Delhi, they were still below 60 per cent.
Therefore, it is evident that healthy and open parent-child discussions are
necessary to make the youth more aware. At the same time, schools must
establish counselling and guidance centres for adolescents.
