Youth Consultation Report

ANNEX II

CASE STUDIES

YOUTH FRIENDLINESS OF SERVICES/INSTITUTIONS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISLAND 1

John is 15 years old has a hot date on Friday. His parents are away for the weekend and he did a good job in reassuring them that he will be alright alone.

He is not sure if he will get the green light to go through, but decides to be prepared for what ever happens. He has his cologne, the latest CD from BUJU in his stereo set in his bedroom. He even made sure to change the sheets and vacuum his carpet in his room. One thing was left, he thought . "What if she wants to make love to me? I should probably make sure to get some cds and ...

He remembered that during the information sessions held in school, the teacher? / guest speaker? told him that condoms were always available for free at Sector Health Care Affairs. So he gets on the bus and off he goes. The bus does not stop in front of the Vineyard building, so he walks in the hot sun and goes all the way up to the office which happens to be the last building in the office park.

When he arrives he notices a lady who looks like she can be old enough to be his mother, another lady who looks kind of hip and easy to talk to just says hello and keeps on walking. He scanned the room quickly to see if the condoms were in an area that he could get them unnoticed, but he saw nothing.

Finally he musters up the guts to turn to the lady and ask her for the condoms... The lady, very tall, looks at him under her glasses and says: "young man, Can I help you?" He looks at the lady and realizes that she is the cousin of his neighbors ex-husband who's daughter works as a cleaner in his uncles office.

John then looks at the lady and wonders to himself: "should I ask her? What would she think of me? What if she tells his mother? What if... Before he could finish his trend of thoughts the Lady says, Listen young man, I am a busy woman tell me what it is you need help with.

John replies by saying I'm sorry, I think I am in the wrong office but thanks anyway miss."

How do you think John feels? Is there any reason for him to feel this way? Do you think John did the right thing by walking away? What could he have said to the lady ? Where else can he go? Should the reaction of the lady in the store stop John from ever using condoms again? Do you think John will have sex without using protection? What are some of the things that can happen?