News @ AsiaOne

One fifths of teenagers will have sex on Saint Valentine's day

Half of teens surveyed see sexual relationships as normal and about personal rights. -ANN

Mon, Feb 11, 2008
The Nation, ANN

One in every five teenagers will likely end up having sex on the upcoming Saint Valentine's Day, according to a survey by the Assumption University.

Conducted between February 1 and February 9, the survey covered 2,384 teenagers in Bangkok and its adjacent provinces. The respondents were between 12 and 19 years old.

"It's worrying because 48.9 per cent of respondents also see sexual relationships as normal and about personal rights,"Noppadon Kannika of the Assumption University said Sunday.

He also pointed out to the dangerous side of teenagers engaging in sex. Of those questioned, about 15.4 per cent had sexual experiences.

According to the survey, only 21.1 per cent of those who had been sexually active have always used condoms.

Some 58.8 per cent others said they practised safe sex sometimes while up to 21.1 per cent never used condoms before.

Asked what they thought would solve youth problems in society, 66.4 per cent mentioned "upbringing by parents", while 32.3 per cent mentioned the availability of adults as good role models.

Other solutions offered included news coverage of good people and the eradication of bad influences in the neighbourhood of educational institutions.

Asked about the country's politics, 60.9 per cent of the respondents said they were bored with and annoyed by the political situation. Nearly half said virtuous politicians were rare, and 28.3 per cent said they planned to become selfish, corrupt and dishonest like politicians.

When asked to name virtuous and good politicians, 45.2 per cent of respondents said Thaksin Shinawatra, while 23.2 per cent named Samak Sundaravej. Abhisit Vejjajiva ranked third with 22.4 per cent of the backing, and Surayud Chulanont with 15.7 per cent support.

According to the survey, 55.9 per cent agreed with the use of His Majesty's principle of Sufficiency Economy in solving the country's crisis.

 
 
 
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