Running head: PREVENTING TEEN PREGNANCY

Preventing Teen Pregnancy Simone Dukes Madonna University Writing Composition 1020

PREVENTING TEEN PREGNANCY Abstract We have teens all over the United States experiencing heartbreak, loneliness, emotional breakdowns, sexually transmitted diseases, abortions and miscarriages all as a result of teenage pregnancies. It is true that teenage pregnancy is a huge problem. Some may say having a baby

at a young age isnt such a terrible issue because for years particularly in the South, this has been a way of life and the necessary adjustments were made to cope. Even though this way of life has been the norm for so many, there has to be a way to combat teen pregnancy. If teens are given the appropriate knowledge and it is adhered to, there can be change. Knowledge is Powerful, has become a very popular statement, if it is taken a step further, and the knowledge is applied, then it becomes even more powerful. Combating teen pregnancy is not an insurmountable task with the appropriate tools and cooperation in place.

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Preventing Teen Pregnancy The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). This quote can also be applied to teenage pregnancy. Although there still can be success, goals accomplished, and dreams fulfilled, the cycle of teenage pregnancy must be broken because it is jeopardizing our youths chances at having a brighter future. Teenage pregnancy is not something that has just started happening. During the 1960s up until the 1990s teens having children was quite a popular matter. According to Frank Furstenburg (2007), Before the twentieth century, early child bearing occurred more frequently in parts of the South, in the Border States, and on the Western frontier than in the more settled and established sections of New England (p. 7). This phenomenon of children having children still continues on today. There were many cycles being repeated, even back then teen pregnancies and premarital sex was a common thing. According to Moynihan, A cycle is at work; too many children too early make it most difficult for parents to finish school. . . . Low education levels in turn produce low income levels, which deprive children of many opportunities, and so the cycle repeats itself (as cited in Furstenburg, 2007, p.13). If the cycle of teen pregnancy and premarital sex is ever going to be broken, the question must be asked how can it be stopped or what can be done to prevent it so that this social and economic issue does not transfer from generation to generation. For starters, the underlying cause must be identified and revealed. If one doesnt know the reason why they do what they do, how can it ever be acknowledged and changed? There are many

PREVENTING TEEN PREGNANCY causes for teenage pregnancies. Lack of attention, rejection, non realistic expectations and as stated in Teenage Mothers Speak Out by Margi Trapani (1996), one of the teenage mothers says she started having sex when she was 14 because she didnt want to be alone, there was no one there for her and she was out in the streets. Out of seven teen cases mentioned in the book, they all admit and came to the same conclusion, that they wished they would have waited and none thought they would get pregnant. Most teenagers think this way, thats why they continue to

explore and take risky chances never thinking about what the real consequences of their behavior could generate. There is an unreasonable amount of girls getting pregnant on a yearly basis. The Advocate for Youth, a national organization that studies teen sexuality, explains them this way: Approximately 2,800 adolescents will become pregnant each day; 1,300 will give birth, 1,100 will have an abortion; and 400 will miscarry (loose the baby) (as cited in Trapani, 1996. p.7). Having a baby at a young age is not what most teenagers dream it will be like. Some think they will stay with the father of the child only to find themselves forsaken once again. Others think the relationship will be long term and eventually they will marry; only to find out they were putting their hopes into false dreams. What they dont realize is in most cases the father is immature, just as young as they are and he has no idea of how serious having a baby as a youngster can be. According to Teenage Mothers Speak Out, The babys father may not be able or willing to help emotionally or financially. Often, a teen mother who is living with her family is told to keep the father away from the child--After all, hes the one who caused the problem. She may be told this by her parents or by social workers and welfare workers, who see the babys father as an irresponsible or troublesome parent(Trapani, 1996, p. 11). More

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than likely, the teen mother will find herself alienated, and left without help to deal with an issue that she didnt cause all by herself. There must be a way to find out what is happening in the minds of teens that cause them to continue making the same foolish mistakes over and over again. Its a lot going on within a child by the time they reach their adolescent years. Hormones are flying everywhere; theyre dealing with low self esteem, communication problems and the inability to confront conflict. In addition to all of this, The teenage years are a time when children develop a need for an increased amount of nurturing involvement with their peers, and especially those of the opposite sex. The love and acceptance they received or failed to receive from their parents must now be transferred to companions their own age (DeSisto, 1991, p.91). If the child has an unsatisfying relationship with the parents, more than likely, he or she is going to try and fill that void in other ways. Desisto calls this behavior The Relationship Addict. The Relationship Addict comes to depend heavily on peer friendship attachments and emotional bonds because the sex drive often becomes overwhelming in adolescence, its also likely that the childs expression of the need for love and acceptance will be sexual (Desisto, 1991, p. 91). With all of this going on, its easy to see why there are so many teenage pregnancies. Another problem amongst this epidemic is that the parents of these children having babies, lack the necessary tools to parent effectively. It is virtually impossible to give what you dont have, so therefore, the child seeks fulfillment elsewhere. In todays society where there is limitless access to media, t.v., cable, and the internet, children are being introduced to sex at very early ages. Statistics show in Teen Sexuality by Don Nardo (1997) that most teenagers begin having sexual intercourse in their mid to late teens, generally about 8 years before they marry and among sexually active 15-17 year old women,

PREVENTING TEEN PREGNANCY 55% have had 2 or more partners and 13% have had at least 6. These vicious cycles must be stopped or at least slowed down. If our children are going to become wiser about making better choices when it comes to sex, then they have to be taught about sex education. Although a very controversial subject when it comes to who should be doing the teaching, whether its a parent, or a school based clinic, the subject still needs to be confronted. Children are being told to

refrain from sex but they also should be taught how to make responsible decisions about when to have sex, with whom to have sex with and why they are engaging in the first place (Furstenburg, 2007). These types of principles should be taught early. Widespread agreement with this view came in a recent national magazine poll. Some 65 percent of those surveyed said, regardless of who teaches about sex, such teaching should begin by the time children reach elementary school (Nardo, 1997, p. 45). Not only do we need to teach sex education to our children at an early age, but they also need to be made aware of how important to holding on to their childhood is, because once its gone, its gone. Many of our youth are being robbed of their early years because theyre having and raising babies or either raising a sibling in the home which is not their responsibility. Most teenagers that are sexually active have not counted up the cost of the journey. What starts out being fun can quickly turn into a devastating situation. Although the teen might not get pregnant by having sex prematurely but there is always the possibility of leaving the relationship with something you didnt have when you first came into it. Sexually Transmitted Diseases commonly known as STDs are spreading amongst the teenagers quicker than any other age group. Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis, Herpes, Scabies, HPV (human papilloma virus), PID (pelvic inflammatory disease), NGU (nongonococcal urethritis), and of course the dreaded, possibly deadly AIDS virus just to name a few of the more popular ones. The scary part about

PREVENTING TEEN PREGNANCY these diseases and having pre-marital sex is that one of the partners could be infected and

knowingly or unknowingly pass it onto the other partner. Every year, three million teenagers get an STD. If you are sexually active, theres a 55% chance youll get an STD by age 25. It is estimated that one out of four sexually active teenage girls has an STD. Women catch these diseases more easily than men due to body differences. During unprotected intercourse with an infected partner, women are twice as likely to catch some STDs including Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. The only sure way of protecting yourself against STDs is to abstain from sex altogether, vaginal, anal, and oral (Pogany, 1998). Having sex with the risk of catching a disease that could change your life forever is something to seriously consider. Even if the mate has on a condom, it does not prove to be 100% safe, there is still a risk of contracting these deadly diseases. Adolescents need to know theyre other ways to relieving sexual tension other than intercourse and taking a chance at being infected by a sexually transmitted diseases. Susan Browning Pogany (1998) mentions in her book SexSmart other suggestions for having fun, expressing affection, and strengthening relationships. To name a couple, share favorite childhood memories, and treat each other with respect. There are many ways to express love without having any physical intimacy. Taking pictures together, praying with each other and keeping your hands to yourself at least sometimes. It is important to search out ways to have sex other than getting physical. When this principle is learned, then sex becomes more valuable and turns into a lovemaking experience. When your mind is in the right place, it is easy to get creative and think of plenty of ways to keep busy, without getting busy! Children should be children and not children playing grown up. By waiting to have sex, teens can stay away from self-destructive behaviors and give each other a chance to grow up and mature (Pogany 1998).

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When a teenager starts indulging in sex too young, the joy, intimacy and reverence that should be experienced, will be missed out on. Once virginity has been lost, it is gone forever, never to return anymore. Sexual intercourse is meant to be enjoyed and shared in a loving, committed relationship by both partners and according to the Bible, in holy matrimony. These are the types of enforcements needing to be made to get the points across to our youth that there is more to sex than just having intercourse. There are numerous amounts of ways to make love and they can begin by learning to love themselves. Its hard to genuinely love someone else, if the person chooses not to start with their own self first. It is common knowledge that having a child at a young age isnt the end of the world. There are some teenagers who have a support system in place and go on to lead healthy, productive lives. However, there are some that will experience a huge lifestyle change because of a lack of support. Society still needs to be proactive in bringing teenage pregnancies to a decline. Given the statistics of the dropout rates among expecting teenagers, there has to be more effective and efficient way for teens to communicate, date and express sexual feelings while continuing their education. Attempting to prevent teenage pregnancy can be effective. Fighting through emotions, communication barriers, and misunderstood feelings is worth every challenge if it means less STDs, less premarital pregnancies and more knowledge, education and success achieved. Yes, no doubt having a family at a young age could mean financial ruin, bringing a halt to certain aspirations, however, success is still obtainable through hard work, determination and staying focused. Always remember that a kiss is an upper persuasion that leads to a lower invasion, so stop it before it even starts.

PREVENTING TEEN PREGNANCY References DeSisto, M. (1991). Decoding your teenager. New York, NY: William Morrow & Company, INC. Furstenburg, F. (2007). Destinies for the disadvantaged. New York, NY: Russell Sage Foundation. Holy Bible : Kings James Version. (2000). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Nardo, D. (1997). Teen sexuality. San Diego, CA: Lucent Books. Pogany, S. (1998). Sex smart: 501 Reasons to hold off on sex. Minneapolis, MN: Fairview Press. Trapani, M. (1996). Teenage mothers speak out. New York, NY: The Rosen Publishing Group, INC.