1.)Sex Education in school and at home: Sex education is an umbrella term which includes facts about sex and talking to children about the myths and dangers of early sex. Helping children to understand the statistics will support him or her in making educated decision about starting or postponing sexual activity. (http://www.education.com/topic/teen-sex-education/)
……Sex education isn't just an issue at home: it has become a hot-button controversy among politicians, pediatricians, and educators nationwide.
Biggest unanswered questions about sex, love, and relationships: (Here’s the top 10) (http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Fact_Sheet_What/)
• When is it okay to have sex? How do I know when I'm ready?
• How far is too far for me - or for someone my age?
• Does my partner really love me? How do you know when you're in love?
• How do I say "no" without making my boy/girlfriend feel bad and without feeling pressured?
• Why do so many girls get pregnant when there is plenty of birth control information available?
• Why do teens feel they have to have sex before marriage? Is it to feel cool?
• Where can I find out about birth control?
• How can I ask my parents about sex - or tell them I'm ready to have sex - without them having a heart attack?
• How many teen girls get pregnant every year?
• Why don't parents and other adults stress abstinence as a way to avoid pregnancy?
As both parents and teens know, addressing these questions is not always easy, but teens tell us they'd rather find out the facts about sex, pregnancy, and relationships from the adults in their lives than through myths and half-truths in the school yard.
Question to think about: Whether teens should get the details on sexual relationships, or whether abstinence is truly the best policy. Think perspective from parent, educator, politician, pediatrician’s point of view
2.)Education for teen pregnant girls: There are many options available to teens today: Adoption, Abortion, Transition Programs, and keeping the child are all options. (http://www.pregnantteenhelp.org/articles3.html)
Statistic facts:
1. Teen mothers are less likely to complete high school (only one-third receive a high school diploma)
2. Teen mothers: Only 1.5% have a college degree by age 30
3. Teen mothers are more likely to end up on welfare (nearly 80% of unmarried teen mothers end up on welfare).
4. The children of teenage mothers have lower birth weights, are more likely to perform poorly in school, and are at greater risk of abuse and neglect.
a) The sons of teen mothers are 13% more likely to end up in prison while teen daughter are 22% more likely to become teen mothers themselves.
Questions to think about: Why are options important for teen pregnant girls? Which option do you think is the BEST to prevent teen pregnancy?
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Re: Question to think about: Whether teens should get the details on sexual relationships, or whether abstinence is truly the best policy. Think perspective from parent, educator, politician, pediatrician’s point of view
ReplyDelete I think that teens should be given the tools necessary to make informed decions about sex. In my Psych of Adolescents and Preadolescents class, we watched a movie called "Growing Up Too Fast" (based on the book of the same name on the syllabus for this class) which was about teenage mothers and, to some extent, teenage fathers. All of the teens interviewed had the same naivete that one would expect from someone much younger. They didn't understand that their actions have lifelong consequences and that babies are not just cute, but also hard work and responsibility.
Many teenagers are going to have sex whether they are taught abstinence or not and it is necessary to make sure they are informed about the risks that they are taking and how to stay safe. It may make politicians and parents uncomfortable, but it is reality and the truth hurts sometimes. It is better to teach them and be uncomfortable about it, than have to their children raise children.