MIDTERM EXAM INDONESIAN LANGUAGE AND BEHAVIOR

CRITICAL ESSAY

Name : Anisa Diandra Oktaviana

NIM : 23/511533/EK/24232

Topic : Sex and Sexuality

Investigation on the Sexual Risk and Behavior and Their Impact to Indonesian Youth

A ubiquitous aspect of human existence, sexuality is a complex tapestry woven into our

identities. An individual's sexual habits are shaped by a complex interaction between cultural

norms, personal decisions, and societal expectations (Ssewanyana et al. 2021). The

examination of sexual risk and behaviors has special significance when considering young

adults in Indonesia, a country known for its diversity and vibrancy. Indonesia, the fourth most

populous nation in the world, is home to a growing number of young people, and knowing their

experiences with sexuality is crucial for well-informed social policies and public health

activities.

Due to the convergence of modernity, tradition, and culture, young Indonesians are

influenced by a wide range of factors, which makes the topic of their sexual practices and

hazards complicated and multidimensional. Moreover, it is an emerging issue in Indonesia

where youths like teenagers or young adults are involved in sexual risk and behaviors (Yusran

et al. 2022). This issue of course has an impact on the personal and community development

of Indonesian youths. We shall travel through this maze of human experiences in this essay,

illuminating the particular difficulties young adults in Indonesia encounter when figuring out

their sexual trajectories. This investigation is crucial because it covers a wide range of topics

that have an effect on young Indonesians’ lives, including education, healthcare access, cultural

values, and religious beliefs. Their choices about their sexual health have a significant impact

on society as a whole in addition to shaping their own personal well-being.

 We shall examine the variables impacting young adults’ sexual risk and behavior in

Indonesia throughout this essay. We'll look at how family relationships, religious convictions,

and conventional ideals affect their choices. We will also look at how education, availability

of resources for sexual health, and contemporary media shape their views and actions. In the

end, this essay aims to offer a thorough comprehension of the complex web that young

Indonesians have to negotiate while making decisions regarding their sexual health.

This analysis is based on the case study conducted by Wijaya et al. in 2018. This case

study mainly discussed the emerging premarital sex behavior of teenagers in Bali, Indonesia.

This case is interesting to analyze and investigate because Bali is an area in Indonesia that is

highly influenced by Western culture due to tourism but is also filled with citizens who highly

uphold their religious and cultural values. The research found that some teenagers in Bali are

already involved in premarital sexual behavior since they are already exposed to premarital

sexual intercourse even in their years of youth. Of course, this issue is in urgent need of

attention from multiple parties like the government, schools, and event parents, in order to keep

Balinese youth safe from the risk of premarital sexual behavior.

This research also found several effects of premarital sexual behavior on teenagers.

Herrman (2017) stated that Teenage sexual behavior has a big impact on their social, emotional,

and physical health. The risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted illnesses is one of the most

direct physical effects of sexual activity (STIs). Unwanted pregnancies can result from

unprotected intercourse, and young parents may have severe psychological and physical

consequences. Adolescents must practice safe sexual behavior because STIs can have longterm

health effects and impact future relationships if they are contracted.

Although many teenagers are aware of the possible repercussions of engaging in sexual

activity, there may be a disconnect between this awareness and their real behaviors. This

disparity highlights the difficulties young people encounter in making mature choices regarding
their sexual health. Their decisions are frequently influenced by elements like impulsivity,

intense emotions, and peer pressure, which can occasionally result in dangerous behavior that

ignores the repercussions.

Teenage reasoning is another important consideration. Teenagers’ developing brains

can make it difficult for them to completely understand the long-term effects of their decisions,

which makes logical decision-making and controlling impulsive drives more difficult

(Mundhiro et al, 2021). It is crucial to take this component of cognitive development into

account when talking about teenage sexual behavior.

Parenting and teen pregnancy have unique repercussions. Both positive and negative

effects, such as alterations to their social life, schooling, job goals, income, and relationships,

are possible for adolescent parents. A growing number of young parents attribute their feeling

of purpose, more responsibility, and personal development to their parenting role. On the other

hand, non-parenting teenagers typically view the negative effects of teen pregnancy, such as

restrictions on their freedom and ability to pursue their educational goals, but some also

acknowledge the positive effects, such as improved maturity, financial assistance, and a sense

of fulfillment or purpose.

In summary, there are a variety of physical, mental, and social repercussions associated

with teenage sexual conduct based on the case study that is conducted in Bali, Indonesia.

Adolescent decision-making in the area of sexual health is complex, as evidenced by the ways

in which individual decisions, information, peer pressure, emotional variables, and gender

dynamics impact these effects. Comprehensive sex education and open communication are

essential to addressing these issues in an effective manner because they give youngsters the

information and abilities they need to make mature and responsible decisions about their sexual

conduct.
 Works Cited

Herrman, J. W., & ANEF (2017). Teen Perceptions of Sexual Activity: Influences,

consequences, realities, and thoughts on safe sexual health practices.vDelaware journal of

public health, 3(1), 66-76. https://doi.org/10.32481/djph.2017.03.010

Mundhiro, N., Fauzi, R., Maruf, M. A., Nurfadhillah., (2021). DETERMINANTS OF

PREMARITAL SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AMONGST ADOLESCENTS IN INDONESIA

Jurnal Biometrika dan Kependudukan p-ISSN 2302—-707X e-ISSN 2540-8828 10(1): 86-93,

July 2021 DOI: 10.20473/jbk.v10i1.2021.86-93

Ssewanyana, D. et al. (2021). The Occurrence of Sexual Risk Behaviors and Its Association

With Psychological Well-Being Among Kenyan Adolescents. Front. Reprod. Health, 21 July

2021 Sec. Adolescent Reproductive Health and Well-being

Wijaya, Made K., et al. "Premarital Sex Behaviors of Teenagers: a Case in Bali, Indonesia.”

International Journal of Health Sciences, vol. 2, no. 3, Dec. 2018, pp. 11-21, doi:

10.29332/ijhs.v2n3.211.

Yusran, S., Astina, A., Sabilu, Y., Sety, L. O. M., Akifah, A., & Rezal, F. (2022). Premarital

Sexual Behaviour Among Urban-rural School Teenagers in Southeast Sulawesi,

Indonesia: Comparative Study. Unnes Journal of Public Health, 11(1), 65-74.

https://doi.org/10.15294/ujph.v11i1.50666