Teen Pregnancies
Would you rather spend Saturday night with your friends at the cinema, or at home changing nappies? Babies are cute and easy to love. But they are also extremely needy and crave attention all the time.
Keywords
- pregnancy (n.)
- contraception (n.)
- sexually transmitted disease (n.)
- prevent (v.)
- provide (v.)
Statistics
Over the past ten years, the number of American teens who use condoms regularly have increased significantly, but many still become parents at a very young age.
Even though becoming a parent as a teenager will make a huge impact on your life, 50 per cent of teens have never thought about how much a pregnancy would affect their lives.
Babysit a Doll
In the USA, there are special programmes designed to give teenagers an idea of what it is like to become a parent. In these programmes, teenagers are asked to look after a doll for a week. The computerised doll is programmed to mirror the needs of a real baby – it needs to be fed, burped, changed, and cuddled. The idea is to show how much work a baby can be.
No Education – and No Job
It has been proven that early parenthood is the leading reason why teen girls drop out of school. It is simply too difficult for them to juggle homework and a baby. Also, these mothers often have a second child within 24 months of the first birth, which makes it even harder to finish school – or to keep a job. This is a difficult situation for the young mothers, but also for the children who cannot be provided for.
Did you know
that only some types of contraception, or birth control, protect against sexually transmitted diseases?
Just Don't!
How can teen pregnancy be prevented? One way is, of course, to not have sex at all. That is the only 100 per cent effective method of preventing pregnancy.
In the USA, only 69 per cent of the school districts teach sex education. Moreover, 86 per cent of these suggest not having sex, instead of teaching how to use protection.
What Works for You and Your Partner?
The more valid solution would probably be to make sure that you use protection correctly every time you have sex. Talk to your partner, even if you think it is a bit embarrassing, and find out what sort of contraception that would work for you. If it is difficult, it may be a good idea to talk to a close friend, your doctor or your parents before you talk to your partner.