Case study:
Anna is a teenage girl who believes herself to be "in love" with her 17-year-old boyfriend, Ron. Ron is pressuring Anna to have sex with him, stating that he will make sure that they have protected sex. Anna's mother fears that Ron is intent on taking advantage of Anna.
Factual Matters About Life
Bolt defines factual matters about life as knowledge regarding human nature, social norms, and interpersonal relations (Bolt, 2004). Human nature and social norms affect or greatly influence the comfort one feels in being able to discuss sex with openness and honesty. Sex is shrouded in confusion, anxiety, fear, and the "don't ask, don't tell" attitude that if sex is not being discussed, then it is a non-issue.
Sexual relations, or the lack thereof, can have a tremendous impact on interpersonal relationships; it has been the cause of many marriages and many divorces. The level of intimacy experienced by both Anna and Ron will dictate not only how comfortable Anna is in discussing sex related matters with Ron, but also in how comfortable she would be if she were to say no to having sex with him at this time.
At the same time, within the teenage world, sex is not only the social norm, but there also exists a lot of pressure for teens to be sexually active, after all, "everyone's doing it." Knowing and understanding where this pressure is coming from, along with being true to her own desires, values, and goals in life will allow Anna to handle this situation with wisdom beyond what her age would indicate.
Procedural Knowledge
Bolt describes procedural knowledge as having strategies to handle life's problems, manage conflict, methods for giving advice, and the importance one places on one's goals (Bolt, 2004). As a teenager, whose coping mechanisms are still being shaped, Anna may not have the knowledge necessary to handle the issue of being pressured to become sexually active or the ability to manage any conflict that may arise from her decision. Anna will likely depend a great deal on the advice she receives from her friends, and, depending on the interpersonal relationship she has with her parents, she may also rely on advice from them. However, Anna should have the ability to measure whether becoming sexually active, and the consequences that becoming sexually active bring with it, aligns with her life goals.
Lifespan Contextualism
Bolt describes lifespan contextualism as the different functions of relationships between family and friends, as well as the varying concepts of life and how these are not constant and unchangeable (Bolt, 2004) By the time one reaches the teenage years, one should have a good grasp on the fact that people come and go throughout one's life: either they move away, become disinterested, or die. Basically, the people who are most important in Anna's life today is different than what it would have been five years ago, (or even last year), and her life will continue to change.
The Therapist's Approach
Anna is an adolescent who is caught between the carefree world of childhood and the world of adulthood that carries with it more serious consequences for her actions than the world she is leaving behind. Anna is experiencing a lot of changes within her body that may be confusing and overwhelming at times. Anna's therapist should explain to Anna about the changes her body is experiencing and the implications of those changes. The therapist should inquire about Anna's knowledge involving sexual intimacy, and he or she should ensure that Anna knows all the consequences that could derive from becoming sexually active without encouraging or discouraging Anna from doing so. (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2005)
Anna's therapist should ask Anna how she feels about her boyfriend, Ron, pressuring her about becoming sexually active with him. The therapist should review with Anna all her options for relieving sexual tension, including masturbation, and encourage Anna to explore her body on her own. The therapist can review with Anna various ways to be intimate with her boyfriend that does not involve sexual intercourse, and the therapist should make sure that Anna is aware of all the consequences of unprotected sexual intercourse such as a sexually transmitted disease, sexually transmitted infection, and pregnancy.
Anna's therapist should explore with Anna possible reasons for her mother's fear that an older boy may be intent on taking advantage of her, to assist Anna with seeing the situation from her mother's perspective. The therapist should encourage Anna to communicate with her mother about what her feelings about sex are and for Anna to encourage her mother to trust that when the time comes, Anna will have the skills and confidence to make the correct decision for her. (Rathus, et al, 2005)
References
Bolt, M. (2004). Pursuing human strengths: A positive psychology guide. NY: Worth Publishing.
Rathus, S.A., Nevid, J.S., and Fichner-Rathus, L. (2005). Human sexuality in a world of diversity. (6th ed.) Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
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