The National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy highlights an important issue and offers activities and ideas for our work with kids.
The facts. “31% of teen girls get pregnant at least once before they reach age 20.” (The National Campaing to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, May 2007). This means that many young girls are raising children, possibly without adequate partner support or financial resources. Early parenthood also takes a toll on a young woman’s educational prospects and financial stability. This high pregnancy rate also means that many young women are facing the difficult life choices of abortion or adoption.
Sexual pressures. A hyper sexualized society floods kids with images of sex without consequences. Movies, television, advertising, and other aspects of our popular culture equate sex with popularity, self-worth, and success. Kids are aware of that pressure; likewise, pressure from other kids, a belief (real or not) that “everyone else is doing it” can lead teens to feel that there is something “wrong with them” if they are not sexually active. Boys can feel as if they have “something to prove” about their sexuality, and may fear being labeled as gay if they are not openly sexually active. And girls can feel that they have to be sexual in order to preserve a relationship. in addition, alcohol use often impairs teens ability to make healthy sexual choices.
False sense of security. Especially for teens who are already sexually active and have not experienced an unwanted pregnancy, there may exist a sense of “it will never happen to me.” Developmentally, teens often lack the capacity to predict outcomes and anticipate consequences. They tend to think they are invincible and often act accordingly. Even for teens who practice birth control, their use can be inconsistent, contributing to their false sense of security; they may unknowingly believe they have far more protection than they actually do.
Nowhere to turn. Kids who want to talk about options for preventing pregnancy may find their resources limited. Parents may be uncomfortable with the topic or espouse an abstinence principle that some kids may not consider an option. Schools may also be limited in the amount and type of information they can give. Though doctors must maintain confidentiality, kids may be reluctant to trust that confidentiality or to bring up sensitive subjects.
Getting kids to think. Have kids check out the interactive quiz at the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. It allows kids to imagine themselves in different situations, and to identify which of a series of responses they would be most likely to have. Each response is then followed up with a related statistic geared to get teens to recognize the possible consequences of their choices. Students also have the ability to email the quiz to friends, to get more information about teen pregnancy, healthy relationships, and other related topics, or to join the site’s Youth Online Network. Discussion guides are also available for download: this would be a great group activity to encourage further thinking about these issues.
You may also be interested in Encouraging Female Friendships or The Truth About Girl Power.
