Teen Pregnancy
Teen pregnancy has become an epidemic. An epidemic that is no laughing matter and is 100% preventable. Today I'd like to share some facts about teen pregnancy and some information on prevention. If you have any questions or just need to talk, I am always here for you!
Facts about teen pregnancy
- Approximately 750,000 teenage girls in the USA become pregnant each year, that's 3 out of every 10!
- Pregnancy and/or parenthood is the leading cause of female high school drop-outs. Only one-third will graduate from high school.
- Roughly 80% of teen moms end up on welfare.
- Only 1.5% of teen moms earn a college degree.
- Daughters of teen moms are 3 times as likely to end up being teen moms themselves.
- Sons of teen moms are 2 times as likely to end up in prison.
- 8 out of 10 teen dads end up leaving before or immediately after the birth of their child & have no involvement in raising the child.
- Having a baby as a teenager increases the health risks for your baby.
- Having a baby as a teenager increases the risk of complications during the pregnancy and delivery.
- 8 out of 10 teen pregnancies are not planned.
- 30% of teen pregnancies end in abortion.
How to prevent teen pregnancy
The only 100% effective form of birth control is abstinence. Abstinence is making the choice (and sticking to it) not to have sex until marriage. You do not have to be a virgin to practice abstinence. A person who has already engaged in sexual intercourse in the past can simply decide that they will not do it again until they are married. Other forms of birth control can (and sometimes do) fail, but abstinence is fool-proof. 67% of teens who have had sex, say they wish they would have waited until they were older.
Saying "No" to Sex
When asking teenage girls the number one reason why they have already had sex, the most popular answer is "Because my boyfriend wanted to." This is a sad but true fact that breaks my heart. No one should engage in sexual activities of any kind without truly wanting to. Do not think for a second that "talking someone into it" is acceptable. After all, it's not rape- right? Wrong answer. If someone has to "talk you into it" or pressure you into it (saying or implying that they will break up with you if you don't do it, that they will find someone else who is willing to, threatening to spread rumors about you if you don't, etc)- that obviously means you are NOT ready and should NOT go through with it. No one who really cares about you would ever want you to do something you are not comfortable doing. Below are some tips on how to practice abstinence.
When asking teenage girls the number one reason why they have already had sex, the most popular answer is "Because my boyfriend wanted to." This is a sad but true fact that breaks my heart. No one should engage in sexual activities of any kind without truly wanting to. Do not think for a second that "talking someone into it" is acceptable. After all, it's not rape- right? Wrong answer. If someone has to "talk you into it" or pressure you into it (saying or implying that they will break up with you if you don't do it, that they will find someone else who is willing to, threatening to spread rumors about you if you don't, etc)- that obviously means you are NOT ready and should NOT go through with it. No one who really cares about you would ever want you to do something you are not comfortable doing. Below are some tips on how to practice abstinence.
- Determine why you chose abstinence and be sure to remind yourself what those reasons are. (Saving yourself for your future husband/wife; not having to worry about STDs or unplanned pregnancy; being able to date and have fun without the stress that sex tends to put on people and relationships; being able to focus on school, grades, sports, family, friends, and the future instead of worrying about sex and the risks that come with it; religious reasons; not having to worry about your reputation, etc.)
- Surround yourself with supportive like-minded people who share your values. Your friends and your partner should support your decision and not try to change your mind. If you are around people who do not share your values, they may influence your decision without you even realizing it.
- Set goals for your future and stay focused on those goals. Do not let anyone or anything deter you from those goals.
- Be proud of yourself and your values. Purity is a wonderful thing and it takes a strong individual to stick to their abstinence goal. At some time or another, you may be teased over your decision/life-style. Do not listen to them & do not let them change your mind. The teasing says something about the person doing it, not you. It is YOUR life and YOUR decision. They are living the life they want to live & you have every right to live the life you want. Stay true to yourself!
- Tell your partner up front about your decision BEFORE getting into a heated situation. You can not be accused of leading him/her on if you tell them up front that it "just ain't happening." If they do not respect your decision about sex, they would not respect your decision about other things in life- and it would never work out between the 2 of you. If they can't accept and respect your decision, find someone who will. And believe me, there are plenty of people out there who will.
- Consider wearing an abstinence bracelet or ring as a daily reminder of your choice.
- Avoid situations that may cause sexual impulses. Stay away from alcohol & drugs (they cloud your judgement & alter your decision making), go out as a group instead of being alone with your partner, avoid pornography & explicit books, etc.
The Basics of SAFE SEX (or technically "safer sex" since it's not 100% fool-proof, like abstinence.)
For those of you who are not willing to give abstinence a try or do not have the self-control to do so, continue reading. If you absolutely must have sex, please do it responsibly. Don't be a statistic.
For those of you who are not willing to give abstinence a try or do not have the self-control to do so, continue reading. If you absolutely must have sex, please do it responsibly. Don't be a statistic.
Contraceptive
Withdrawal or "pulling out" is NOT an effective method of pregnancy prevention. Nor is keeping track of your cycle and having intercourse when you don't "think" you are fertile.
- Comes in many forms- pills, patches, rings, shots, IUDs, etc. What's right for one person isn't what's right for another. You and your doctor can determine which method is best for you.
- Remember, whichever method you choose- you must use it as directed at ALL times or it will not work. The pill, for example- if you miss a pill or don't take them around the same time every day, they will not be as effective. There are also some medications that, if taken with "the pill", makes it less effective. That is why it is so very important that you discuss these options and details with your doctor. That is what they are there for, to help keep you safe and healthy.
- Contraceptive is used to help prevent pregnancy (again, it is not 100% effective) it does NOT protect you from sexually transmitted infections and diseases.
- Latex male condoms are the safest condoms. (If you or your partner are allergic to latex, there is an alternative.)
- Common brands include: Trojan, Lifestyle, and Durex.
- They can be purchased at most stores, gas stations, and pharmacies.
- They need to be stored in a cool, dry place.
- Always check the expiration date on your condoms before using them.
- Never re-use a condom.
- Always open condoms with your fingers, do not use scissors or a knife to cut the package open- as you could nip the condom without realizing it. That, of course, would make it no longer effective.
- Learn how to properly put condoms on and be sure you do it that way every single time.
- If you are sexually active, you should keep condoms on hand at all times regardless of whether you are male or female. You never want to be in a situation where you do not have one on hand and think "just this once" it won't hurt to have sex without one. You can get pregnant and/or get an STD at any time, so please be prepared at all times. A big percentage of unplanned pregnancies come from "we only had sex ONE time without protection!" That really is all it takes!
- If a lubricant is needed, use it. The friction on a dry condom can cause tearing, thus making it no longer effective. Always use water based lubricants (KY Jelly, Astroglide, Etc.) Do NOT use oil based lubricants ( or vaseline, lotion, moisturizer, etc.) as they can also make the condom less effective.
- Condoms are used to help prevent pregnancy (not 100% effective) as well as to help protect you from sexually transmitted infections and diseases.
Withdrawal or "pulling out" is NOT an effective method of pregnancy prevention. Nor is keeping track of your cycle and having intercourse when you don't "think" you are fertile.
But what about engaging in OTHER sexual activities? (Oral sex- "blow job", "going down on", "rimming" etc; "Hand-job"; "fingering"; kissing; Etc.)
- Although you can not get pregnant from these activities, the risk of STDs is extremely high and very dangerous!
- Sexually transmitted infections and diseases are transmitted through skin to skin contact as well as through bodily fluids (saliva, blood, semen, vaginal fluids, etc.)
- You can get a sexually transmitted infection or disease from ANY sexual activity that involves the vagina, penis, anus, or mouth.
- Not only are STDs embarrassing & reputation ruining, they can cause serious health problems and sometimes even death. Safety is key!
- ALWAYS use protection (condoms, dental dams, latex gloves, etc.) during ANY and ALL activities involving the vagina, penis, or mouth.
- STDs can be transmitted through kissing (from the saliva/spit as well as any open cuts/sores/open wounds in the mouth), hand-jobs (infected semen in contact with a cut/sore/open wound on the hand or other body part of the non-infected person), fingering (infected vaginal fluids in contact with a cut/sore/open wound on the finger or hand of the non-infected person. Also- an infected person with a cut/sore/open wound on the finger or hand coming in contact with the vagina, anus, or mouth of a non-infected person), and oral-sex (infected saliva/spit coming in contact with the vagina, penis, or anus of a non-infected person. Also- infected semen of vaginal fluids coming in contact with a non-infected mouth.)
- Other ways to lessen your chances of getting an STD (ALONG with using protection during those activities) is to limit your sexual partners, you and your partner be tested often, and be in a monogamous relationship (truly faithful) at all times.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns- do not hesitate to ask. the only stupid questions are the ones you never ask.
See also: SEX by Brian Reihl.