“I wish I understood as a teenager that it is a sign of emotional maturity and autonomy to take full control over my sexual health. I was lucky. My mother told me that when I felt I was ready to become sexually active to come to her and she would take me to the gynecologist to get a prescription for the pill. But, in my circles, it was understood that beyond that, it was the role of the boy to have condoms. Now we know regardless of the pill, you always need a condom to protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. I wish I understood that walking into a pharmacy and buying condoms, and having them with me at all times, was an act of owning my gender equality.”
This World Contraception Day (WCD), we’re igniting a global conversation with voices likes yours—young people and their influencers—to share your early experiences learning about your reproductive health.
Our ask: dig out those adolescent photos and dig into your teenage memories. Here’s how you can take part:
Step 1: Hop onto your Twitter and/or Instagram.
Step 2: Share a picture of your teenage self with an answer to any (or all) of these questions. Be sure to tag #TeenageMe and #WCD2018 so we can repost your responses on PSI’s social feeds starting today through Sept. 26.
- What do you wish you could tell your teenage self about contraception?
- Who first gave you “The Talk?”
- What was your biggest misperception about contraception as a teenager?
- If applicable, what was it like to first get your period?
Step 3: Let’s go global! Send this email to 10 of your friends. Bonus points for the more young people aged 15-24 you send this on to!
Together, let’s explore the challenges young people face and the opportunities we have to revolutionize how the next generation can own their health decisions. We can’t wait to read your stories.
