Teen Pregnancy Prevention

Teen Pregnancy Prevention

Teen pregnancy is becoming such a big concern in this day and age. Unfortunately, more and more teens are becoming parents each year. According to Janet Realini, "850,000 American teenagers become pregnant each year." (2004). Most teens do not have any idea the responsibilities that it takes to be a parent. Teens also have the mindset that it will never happen to them. Teen pregnancy can easily be prevented with better educated teens, better communication between teens and parents, and the knowledge of contraceptives.

Many teens do not have the knowledge about sex and pregnancy. There are several things that could be made available to teens so they can learn about what can happen if they choose to have unprotected sex. One way is to offer classes in schools. According the Douglas Kirby, "About two-thirds of the curriculum-based sex STD/HIV education programs studied have had positive effects on teen sexual behavior." (2007). When these classes available to teens or even middle school aged students; teen pregnancy is less likely to occur.

Teaching teens the risks of teen pregnancy will also help with reducing pregnancy prevention. Teenage mothers are not as likely to finish high school, and even less likely to go to college. This could have a huge negative impact on their future. Also teenage mothers have a higher risk of being single (Kirby, 2007). Because of these two reasons alone, teenage mothers and their child/children are more likely to live in, and grow up in poverty.

When teens get pregnant at such a young age, they will risk missing out on their teen years. It is very important to teach teens this before they become pregnant or even better before they become sexually active. Teens need to be taught that becoming parents at such a young age will more than likely cause them to lose a lot of their friends and risk becoming the center of attention at school for other students to start rumors and talk bad about. Many teens that become parents at such a young age miss out on school activities, such as sports and dances, and especially teen moms, due to possible pregnancy restrictions. Not only do teens risk losing their fun teen years, but they are forced to become adults immediately with no questions asked.

It should be common knowledge that families that have good communication between parents and teens are less likely to have troubled teens. This also includes the pregnancy of teens. Although most parents know how important it is to talk to their teens about sex, many parents do not know exactly how or when to do it. Some communities offer classes for the parents to help them learn the best way to talk to their teen about sex, without having to feel awkward or have the possibility of leaving something out (Kids Count Indicator Brief Reducing the Teen Birth Rate, 2009). It is important for parents to completely educate their teens about what can happen if they choose to sexual intercourse, even if it is just once. Parents' needs to express to their teens how much their life will change if they get pregnant, as well as STDs they could get, and how that could affect their lives.

It is very important for parents to talk to their kids about having sex. They also need to inform their teens about all the different types of contraceptives and how to properly use them for whenever they do decide to have sexual intercourse. A lot of parents focus on teaching abstinence only and not about safe sex. According to Planned Parenthood, the most effective way to talk about using contraceptives is before the kids reach their teenage years, but no matter what it is never too late to talk to your children (Talking to Kids about Sex and Sexuality, 2011). All of these things