Teenage pregnancy is certainly nothing to be ashamed of nowadays as it has become very acceptable like most other things in life. It doesn't even affect the lives of young mother's these days as their parents are very ready to take the child and help and support where they can.
I am not judging anyone because every story has a reason behind it, but is it truly the responsibility of the parents to take over when a mother is too young? I'm sure if I was in that position I would also take the baby and support where I can.
I know there are plenty of girls out there who supports their own children and many have the support of their boyfriend's. There are also the option of giving the baby up for adoption as there are thousands of parents out there who longs to have a baby of their own.
Anyway, as long as the baby is looked after and everyone is happy then the end result might be positive.
BUT isn’t it sad that many unacceptable things are now accepted by society and just kicked under the carpet as if it is no big deal?
Forty years ago it would have been such a shame on the family should a girl become pregnant. She was sent away and the baby would be born in a secluded place as well as be given up for adoption. Oh the shame on the family!
It is funny how life changes all the time and even though it has become acceptable, still doesn’t make it right. Young people are supposed to enjoy life, and not worry about raising kids.
One of the greatest issues today is peer pressure, and kids do not seem to be able to identify real love. Perhaps it is the age we live in, where the economy is down the drain and both parents have to work. Perhaps it is television and early exposure to sex scenes, but the fact is the world is changing by the minute.
**Where should sex education start? **
Sexual education should start at home. It is vitally important that a child should know that they are loved by their parents and that he or she can rely on their parent in times of need.
Prevention is far better than cure. Boys and girls should be aware that every action has a consequence, and that there are far better ways to connect with someone emotionally than to have sex with them. They should be informed about abstinence and possible contraceptive methods. But just because they know about contraceptives, doesn’t mean that it should be used just because it is available.
If a child is loved at home, and he/she is aware of self-love they would not seek love from someone else in the wrong way.
However in the spur of a moment, things could go horribly wrong, and there is an odd chance that the child gives in to certain feelings and step over the line.
It is then that the consequences of their actions comes to light. Safe sex is always more important than unprotected sex. Make sure that your child has access to contraceptives should something happen, and never stop encouraging your child to talk to you about sex.
The sad thing is that kids start having sex at a young age these days, and the average teenage pregnancies take place between 15 and 19 years.
According to WHO the pregnancy statistics/problems arising due to pregnancy look like this:
Approximately 12 million girls aged 15–19 years and at least 777,000 girls under 15 years gave birth in developing regions.
At least 10 million unintended pregnancies occurred among adolescent girls aged 15–19 years in the developing world.
Complications during pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death for 15–19-year-old girls globally.
Of the estimated 5.6 million abortions among adolescent girls aged 15–19 years, 3.9 million are unsafe, contributing to maternal mortality, morbidity and lasting health problems.
Adolescent mothers (ages 10–19 years) face higher risks of eclampsia, puerperal endometriosis, and systemic infections.
Babies of adolescent mothers face higher risks of low birth weight, preterm delivery and severe neonatal conditions.
What can you as a parent do for your children regarding sex?
You as a parent need to be clear on your values and your attitude towards sex. It is important for a child to know that sex is not the only way to express love towards someone else.
Parents and children should talk freely about sex and love. They should know the difference.
As a parent it is also important to monitor the activities of your child. They are still your children and they should not be allowed to be in certain situations on their own.
Make sure to know your child’s friends and get to know that friends’ parents. If you have other parental support then it will be an even healthier environment for your child if the other parents have the same values that you do.
Encourage your child to have friends rather than boyfriends or girlfriends and stick to your guns about dating. If a child starts dating too early then he/she might be exposed to certain difficult situations before they are even ready.
Talk to your child about abstinence!
Abstinence should be the front-runner in the prevention of pregnancies. The more a child is reminded of this fact, the better chance that they will choose this as their main prevention method.
Some schools develop abstinence curriculum's and students put through these programs have a much higher chance of choosing abstinence as a way to prevent pregnancy.
Teenagers should be made aware of the very harsh reality of raising a baby on their own. They need to know what to expect if they cannot find a job without any proper qualifications.
Teenagers should be able to realize that abstinence is far better than an unexpected pregnancy at such a young age. With the high school programs, teenagers have a chance of analyzing whether sex is worth the risk to change their lives forever.
It is the duty of the schools and parents all over the world to educate children about the negative effects of sex at a young age, and to help them realize the beauty of sex in a loving relationship.
It is best to have an open relationship with a child so that he/she will have the confidence to come to you as a teacher or a parent when the time is right. If the sex topic is treated with respect then teenagers will become responsible adults and abstain until they are ready.
