Young Minds Peer Group (YMPG) research has shown that pessimism is one of the indicators of high-risk sexual behavior among young people in South Africa. Pessimism is fuelled by perceptions among young people that HIV/AIDS, STI, and other social problems are inevitable. For a lot of young people, these challenges are a part of everyday life. These perceptions must be countered by encouraging young people to tack a stand and be their own role model and by giving them the tools which allow them to approach challenges with confidence, innovation and creativity.

South African young people are currently exposed to factors that are recognized as drivers of high-risk behavior such as coercion, transitional sex, peer pressure and low self-esteem