OB/Peds
March 11, 2014
Community Resources Paper

The Risks and Education of Teenage Pregnancy The at-risk group that I chose to research is teenage pregnancy, and the education and risks associated with it. I selected this topic because I feel like it is essential to teach our children all the risk and responsibilities that come with the decision to become sexually active, before they become sexually active. If teens are taught the essentials about pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, and are educated on the resources available, they will be able to make an informed decision before making a crucial decision.
I feel that when abstinence is all that is taught by parents, our children are too scared to ask about sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy, and don’t know about the resources available to them to prevent both. Teenagers who are sexually active have no idea all of the different resources available to help them to prevent pregnancy and spreading sexually transmitted infections. When they become sexually active they are afraid that they are going to get in trouble for not being abstinent which further increases their chance of getting pregnant or spreading infections because they are too scared to ask about it before they put themselves in the situation. Among the most conservative states I found the following. “Mississippi continues to have the highest teeth birth rate, with 55 births per 1,000 girls. New Hampshire has the lowest rate at just under 16 births per 1,000 girls. This is the lowest national rate for teen births since the Centers for Disease Control began tracking it in 1940, and CDC officials attributed the decline to pregnancy prevention efforts. Other reports show that teenagers are having less sex and using contraception more often. Studies have backed this up. Researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle found that teenagers who received some type of comprehensive sex education were 60 percent less likely to get pregnant or get someone else pregnant. And in 2007, a federal report showed that abstinence-only programs had “no impacts on rates of sexual abstinence.” (Stranger-Hall & Hall, 2011) By not providing the proper education and resources we are placing our children at risk for contracting a sexually transmitted infection or getting pregnant. Statistics show that one fourth of 15 year olds have had sexual intercourse at least once and over fifty percent of 17 year olds are sexually active. Teaching abstinence to teenagers only works if they are sexually inactive. Children are exposed to social media which glamorizes sex, but it doesn’t talk about the risk factors that come with choosing to have sex. I wouldn’t want to encourage teenagers to become sexually active, but I feel with the proper information about sex and taking the time to educate them, they will be able to make an informed decision before participating in sexual activities.
“Unlike smoking, which is always bad for you, sexual behavior is a basic human need which can be a positive experience – although it requires maturity and responsibility,” says Michael McGee, Vice President for education at Planned Parenthood Federation of America in New York City and the father of two teenagers. When it comes to prohibiting or limiting information about contraception, McGee says, “pregnancy and STDs are not something teens should be ignorant about preventing. I think its morally irresponsible to deprive people of information that can save their lives.” (WebMD, 2000). Education is such an important part of preventing teen pregnancy, they desperately need to be educated. It’s the parent’s responsibility to make their teens feel safe and comfortable talking to them about it, without the fear of getting in trouble. Parents who are more involved with their teens and take the time to talk to them about not only abstinence, but contraceptives, emergency contraceptives, and condoms, have a better chance at preventing teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections than a teens who parents do not talk about it. Parents need to be able to talk to their teens about the different sexually transmitted infections, the ways they are transmitted, the symptoms, risks and treatment options.
“There are 40,000 sexually active teens in Utah, and yet they still teach abstinence-only sex education, which censors information about condoms and contraception; makes moral on students who have already had sex; and discriminates against GLBTQ students by at best ignoring them and at worst promoting homophobia.” (“Teens fight for,” 2006) The internet is also a useful resource for teens to get information about preventing teen pregnancy and STIs. Websites like www.stayteen.org, or www.healthyteennetwork.org are organizations that focus on teen health with an emphasis on teen pregnancy prevention, teen pregnancy, and teen parenting. Planned Parenthood also provides information on birth control, STIs, pregnancy, and abortions. They have several locations that offer confidential services, as well as an online resource. The resources I have found were either state funded or nonprofit organizations using donations to keep resources available to teens. Planned Parenthood is the best resource that I found and is funded by the state. Their services are either free, or very small and affordable. I feel the resources listed above are helpful, they give teens accurate information, and is available as a safe place for teens to talk about sex. I feel the biggest problem is not giving teens this information before they become sexually active because many teens don’t know until it’s too late and the teen is either pregnant or contracts an STI. I would push evidence based education combined with abstinence in the community and offer a class to parents to learn about STIs, pregnancy prevention, and ways to talk to their teens about it. A small clinic in high schools that has a counselor or nurse would give teens a place to feel safe to ask questions, and to get advice and information and would be so helpful for teens as an additional resource outside their home. Clinics could have information available to teens about STIs and pregnancy, as well have basic contraceptives such as condoms. I feel this would be very helpful because educations is the key to preventing teen pregnancy and STIs. I feel that if we only teach abstinence to our children, they won’t feel comfortable talking about sex and will be worried about getting in trouble if they ask questions. If the lines of communication are open, teens are more likely to stay abstinent or practice safe sex if they are sexually active. Sex is a natural human instinct, but needs to be taught that it comes with a lot of risks and responsibilities. Although sex is a basic and natural instinct, teens need to be taught that it is sacred and should be shared with someone you love because of the intense bond that is created. When I selected my topic, I chose something that I felt strongly about. I have a family member who gave birth to a child at the age of 17. When talking to her, she explained to me that she never had received information about pregnancy and STIs, and now as an adult realizes how useful the information would have been, had she had knowledge of all the recourses available. She was just told by her parents to remain abstinent, but wasn’t explained all the reasons why staying abstinent is the best choice as a teenager. Most of the information about sex was gained from friends and older siblings, and most of it was wrong. Teens now have so many more resources available than they didn’t have 10 years ago. Yes, evidence based information in preventing pregnancy and STIs does inspire me to do more as a parent. Even though I have young children, they will be teenagers quicker than I think. I know it’s my responsibility as a father to open up the lines of communication about sex before they become sexually active so they have all the resources needed to make an informed decision. I feel that parents have an extremely important role in preventing pregnancy and STIs. Teens can only do so much on their own. They need the help and guidance of their parents to make the right choices when it comes to sex and to have the tools they need accessible. Educating our teens is essential.

References

Stanger Hall, K. F. , & Hall, D.W. (2011, October 14). Plosone accelerating the publication of peer-reviewed science. Retrieved from http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10/1371/journal.pone.0024658

WebMD. (2000). Abstinece vs. sex ed. which approach is most reasonable for today. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/abstinece-vs-sex-ed?page=2

Teens fight for comprehensive sex education in Utah. (2006, June 22). Retrieved from
http://www.amplifyyourvoice.org/u/dandaman6007/2009/6/22/Teens-fight-for-comprehensive-sex-education-in-Utah