Speakers

Barry Salmon

Assistant Commissioner, Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian

Main conference room

A Changing Childhood – Trends and issues impacting on childhood today

This presentation considers some of the current issues impacting on children and young people today in the context of the demographic and social changes which have taken place in Australia over the past thirty years.

Fundamental shifts in family size and type, parental employment, cultural diversity and use of technologies give rise to questions such as how children today acquire their values and who they turn to for advice and support. The traditional institutions of family, schools and churches ‘compete’ with an increasingly pervasive and permissive media and the unimpeded flow of information afforded by communication technologies.

Changes initially embraced by adults as beneficial have produced some unforseen and undesirable effects. Evident examples of current concern include the premature sexualisation of children in the media, cyber-bullying and the recent development of sexting. Reflecting on these issues, the presentation makes reference to the research evidence, the views of children and young people, and some of the steps being taken by governments to remedy their effects.

With the quickening pace of change, the presentation suggests we need to be sensitive to the potential for change to have unforseen impacts on children and young people as early recognition can help mitigate negative effects. The presentation also identifies some of the positive changes which are likely to drive improvements for children and young people, in particular the growing acceptance that we are all responsible for the way our children and young people develop.

Pam Blackman

Moderator, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society National Clearinghouse for Sexuality Education Teaching Resources

Main conference room

What do young people really know and really do? Results of the 4th National Survey of Australian Secondary Students: Sexual Health

This keynote address will look at the results of the Fourth National Survey of Secondary Students and Sexual Health 2008. The survey involved nearly 3000 Year 10 and Year 12 students form more than 100 schools from Government, Catholic and Independent school systems from around Australia . The key findings are presented under the key themes of knowledge, behaviour and health.

The 4th National Survey of Australian Secondary Students: Sexual Health n otes that generally young people make good decisions about their sexual behaviour. It provides data that young people who are sexually active usually participate in safe sexual encounters in which they are largely pleased and well informed. The findings also show that some young people participate in sexual activity that is not safe and that many young people have experienced unwanted sex.

The authors of the survey ask policy makers and educators to draw on the data presented to help develop informed and productive programs that meet the needs of young people. The 4th National Survey of Australian Secondary Students: Sexual Health has found that generally teachers and parents are addressing the challenging area of young people’s sexual health with some success.