Growing Up Sexually

JORDAN

Index → Middle East → Jordan

“The 2000 Jordan Youth Survey results show that youth lack information about puberty and the maturation process. Over half (57 percent) of young females experienced shock and fear at the time of first menstruation. When asked about what topics they would like to get more information about, 86 percent of male and female youth mentioned physiological changes and puberty […]Article 5 of the Personal Status Law No. 61 for 1976 stipulates that the bridegroom should have reached 16 years of age and the bride 15 years to possess the legal capacity for marriage. […]—both ages are still considered too young for marriage by many, especially women activists. Therefore, a new law passed in December 2001 raised the legal age at marriage to 18 years for both sexes, except in certain cases that are left to a judge to decide according to the best interest of adolescents who are to be married […] Young adults severely lack sexual and reproductive health information. Physical maturation, reproduction, and sexuality are sensitive—even taboo—topics that are avoided even within families, and youth demonstrate a tremendous gap in their knowledge of and interest in learning about these issues.” (Almasarweh, 2003)[1].

Janssen, D. F., Growing Up Sexually. VolumeI. World Reference Atlas. 0.2 ed. 2004. Berlin: Magnus Hirschfeld Archive for Sexology

Last revised: Sept 2004