ANALYSIS OF THE CAUSATIVE FACTORS AND IMPACTS OF FREE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AMONG ADOLESCENTS:

Abstract

Free sexual behavior among Indonesian adolescents has become a complex social and health problem influenced by both internal and external factors. Internal factors include limited knowledge of reproductive health, weak self-control, emotional impulses, and low levels of religiosity. External factors involve peer influence, disharmonious family environments, exposure to social media, and the lack of formal sex education. This study employs a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method using 25 national and international journal articles published between 2015 and 2025 to analyze the causes and impacts of free sexual behavior among adolescents. The findings reveal that inadequate reproductive knowledge, peer pressure, and exposure to unhealthy sexual content on digital media are the main contributing factors to such behavior. The impacts include an increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unwanted pregnancies, psychological disorders such as depression and guilt, and a decline in academic achievement. This review emphasizes the importance of collaboration among families, schools, and health professionals in providing comprehensive sex education from an early age to help adolescents develop an adequate understanding and strong self-control. Open, ethical, and culturally appropriate sex education, along with sufficient supervision from families and social environments, is essential to reduce the risks of free sexual behavior and its negative consequences among young people.