20 New Trends in Sex Education

by Sue Scheff on Dec 14, 2011


Parenting includes many sensitive talks with our children, however the birds and the bees still remains one of the most difficult for many parents.

Why?

It seems we are starting it a younger age than generations earlier!

Sex education isn’t necessarily something people like to talk about, but it’s certainly necessary. Without sex education (and often, even with), teens can get into trouble with pregnancy, abortion, STDs, and even AIDS, all of which can have a negative impact on their lives and future happiness. Awareness and education are important, but they’re not always the same. Sex education has changed considerably in recent years, with abstinence-only education, sex education for younger children, and more, so it’s worth taking a look at some new developments in the field. Read on, and we’ll discuss 20 new trends that are going on in sex education right now.

  1. Mandating medically accurate sex education

    It seems like a no-brainer, but many states have recently enacted bills that would require medical accuracy in school sex education. We have to wonder what’s been put out that’s not accurate, but at least these states are working to get it right now. Typically, the educational programs are required to be in accordance with “accepted scientific methods and recognized as accurate and objective by professional organizations and agencies with expertise in the relevant field, such as the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Public Health Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.”

  2. Teens aren’t learning about contraception before they have sex

    Sexual activity is common by the late teen years with 7 in 10 teens engaging in intercourse by their 19th birthday. But many students who have engaged in sex report that they didn’t learn about contraceptive use before getting started. In a Guttmacher Institute fact sheet on American teens’ sources of information about sex, 46% of males and 36% of females reported that they didn’t receive formal instructions about contraception before having sex for the first time.

  3. Kids are learning about sex from outside of school

    This is obvious to most, but the majority of sex education actually takes place outside of school. Kids learn about sex from porn, TV, and pop culture these days. Stars like singer Solange Knowles lend their time and image to campaigns that promote safe sex, and even death metal bands get in on the action.

  4. Sex education for younger children

    Sex education can start as young as third grade, although that education doesn’t necessarily involve explicit sex explanations. For third graders in China, sex education starts in the form of a toilet tour, in which children get the opportunity to peek into the other gender’s bathroom to better understand the differences in their bodies and behaviors. Students also view presentations about sperm fertilizing eggs.

  5. Many sex ed programs are abstinence-only

    According to the CDC, about 1/3 of sex education omits the use of birth control, engaging in the controversial abstinence-only sex education that has been both lauded and criticized. However, about 2/3 of teens got instruction in birth control before graduating from high school: about 62% of boys and 70% of girls. Research suggests that comprehensive sex education that includes both abstinence and birth control began to decline from 1995 to 2002 and has not changed much since then.

  6. Federal funding mandates prohibit educating students about contraception

    Since 1997, the federal government has invested more than $1.5 billion into abstinence-only programs, which require schools to avoid teaching about birth control in order to receive federal funding for sex education. These programs must adhere to a strict eight-point definition of education, with the “exclusive purpose of teaching the social, psychological, and health gains to be realized by abstaining from sexual activity.” Critics point out that the eight-point definition is not created by “evidence-based, public health and social science research,” but rather, a values agenda put in place by Congress.

  7. Elementary schools are passing out condoms

    Schools passing out condoms to students is not a new idea, but some schools are taking things a step further and making them available to virtually all ages. In Provincetown, Massachusetts, one school will allow students as young as first grade to get free condoms, as long as they listen to a talk about sex education beforehand. The program is a move to decrease teen pregnancy. While the superintendent recognizes that first graders and other young elementary school children probably don’t know what condoms are and won’t ask for them, parents are worried that just by having them available, students are going to get the message that it’s acceptable to have sex at such a young age.

  8. Almost all sex-ed programs teach about AIDS and STDs

    Almost all students will learn about AIDS and STDs, a move that is smart for stopping the spread of disease. About 97% of teens report receiving formal sex education by the age of 18, and about 92% of boys and girls report being taught about STDs, including preventing infection with the AIDS virus. This may cut down on the spread of AIDS and STDs now and in the future among young people who are sexually active.

  9. Teen males will use more condoms if they learn about them

    Although federal funding mandates abstinence-only education, research has shown that formal sex education, regardless of whether it includes information about birth control or not, leads to greater condom use among teen males. So even though teen males may not be educated about condoms, being informed about sexuality seems to increase responsibility. According to Condom Use and Consistency Among Male Adolescents in the United States, “the critical factor for male condom use and consistency is the presence of any formal instruction.”

  10. Schools are testing students on health and sex education

    Washington DC public schools annually test student progress in reading and math, and now, they are testing what students know about sexuality, contraception, and drug use as well. This is a bold move in a city with some of the country’s highest rates of sexual transmitted diseases and teen pregnancies. Officials share that the test will fill gaps in what they understand about young people’s awareness and why they behave a certain way. According to Brian Pick, deputy chief of curriculum and instruction for DC Public Schools, “it paints a fuller picture.” Adam Tenner, executive director of MetroTeenAIDS, believes the new test is positive, pointing out that “what gets measured gets done.”

  1. States who denied abstinence-only funding typically have teen pregnancy rates under the national average

    There is a correlation between abstinence-only education and high teen pregnancy rates. In 2005, states who did not receive federal funding for teaching abstinence-only education typically had teen pregnancy rates that were under the national average. Abortion rates also tended to be lower in those states, indicating that students with comprehensive sex education may have more favorable outcomes.

  2. Masturbation isn’t really discussed

    Although abstinence is discussed as an option in virtually every sex education program, whether birth control is mentioned or not, masturbation is hit or miss. Some teachers believe that discussing personal or mutual masturbation can be beneficial to students who want to explore sexuality without the risk of STDs and pregnancy, but others believe that teaching students about masturbation, and mutual masturbation in particular, may just be a prelude to intercourse.

  3. Sex education curriculum often has distorted information

    Parents and students trust sex education programs to teach accurate information, but according to Advocates for Youth, sex education curriculum often includes distorted information. A 2004 study by the House Government Reform Committee took a look at commonly used curricula and found that they contained unproven claims, subjective conclusions, and outright falsehoods, including the “facts” that “half of gay male teenagers in the US have tested positive for HIV,” “condoms fail to prevent HIV transmission as often as 31 percent of the time in heterosexual intercourse,” and “as many as 10 percent of women who have an abortion become sterile.”

  4. Sex education programs with both abstinence and contraceptive education can create favorable outcomes

    Advocates for Youth points out that considerable scientific evidence supports the idea that sex education programs including both abstinence and contraception can help teens delay sexual activity, increase contraceptive use, and have fewer sexual partners when they start having sex. The group also believes that youth development programs that engage young people constructively in communities and schools are helpful. Specifically, Advocates for Youth identifies characteristics of effective curricula, including programs that last more than a few weeks, address peer pressure, and reflect the appropriate age, sexual experience, and culture of the students in the program.

  5. Virginity pledges

    Some teens and young adults have begun to commit to virginity pledges, often as part of church programs. Studies have found that these pledges can delay vaginal intercourse, however, pledgers often replace it with other sexual activities including oral sex and anal sex, both of which do not reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases. Some studies indicate that virginity pledges may reduce the likelihood of contraceptive use once pledgers engage in sex. The first virginity pledge program was created in 1993, by the name of True Love Waits, started at the Southern Baptist Convention, with now more than 2.5 million pledgers.

  6. Teens are having less sex

    Although parents and concerned citizens worry that today’s teens are having more sex than ever, a CDC survey, Teenagers in the United States: Sexual Activity, Contraceptive Use, and Childbearing indicates that teens’ levels of sexual experience have decreased. The numbers of teens who have had sexual intercourse at least once have not changed significantly, and that number has been in overall decline over the last 20 years. As Examiner.com points out, that means today’s teens are less likely to be sexually experienced than their parents were as teens.

  7. Teens don’t learn about the connection between AIDS and anal sex

    Researchers at the Bradley Hasbro Children’s Research Center discovered that anal sex is on the rise among teens and young adults. They say that girls are often persuaded to try anal sex to have sex without risking pregnancy or their virginity, but don’t understand the health consequences. Even students who can recite how you get AIDS may not understand how exactly it translates to their behavior, thinking that they can’t get AIDS because they’re not having vaginal sex. In fact, anal sex can be more risky for HIV infection, as tissue may tear and cause direct blood exposure to infected fluids. Lead author Celia Lescano remarks, “There is no doubt that teens lack information about STDs and the safety of different behaviors and they they are engaging in more sexual experimentation.”

  8. Some states leave sex-ed curriculum up to local school districts

    In some states, sexual education curriculum is variable among different school districts, with differences in what is taught and how it’s presented. In Connecticut, for example, the state leaves it all up to local school districts, allowing them to decide what is taught about sex education. The state does, however, offer guidelines on what it believes should be taught, and all public school districts do offer at least basic health education for high school students, and state law requires school districts to teach about HIV. Bonnie Edmondson, a health education consultant at the Connecticut Department of Education shares, “It is a local control issue. The communities have a feel for what is best.”

  9. Teens want more input from parents

    Although most teens are at an age when they are pushing their parents away on a regular basis, the fact is that they would like more input from their parents when it comes to sex education. In Baker County, Florida, teens don’t believe they’re getting adequate sex education from parents or teachers, and they shared that parents need to find better ways to discuss sex with their kids. Some teens pointed out that sex education is first and foremost the parents’ responsibility, and they need to find ways to make the topic less awkward to bring up. They also note that teens learn more about sex from their peers than their parents, and that’s not necessarily a good thing.

  10. The elderly are getting sex education as well

    Schoolkids aren’t the only ones learning about sex these days. The elderly are finding value in sex education as well. In Malaysia, one state is providing sex education for the elderly to stop rising divorce rates. Family development foundation head Mohamad Shafaruddin Mustafa notes, “Many elderly couples sleep in separate bedrooms and are not intimate. This is unhealthy as they can still have vibrant intimate relationships, especially with all kinds of therapy and health supplements now available.” With sex education, elderly couples can better learn how to reconnect and enjoy their sexual relationship together.

Source:  Best Colleges Online

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Top 50 Blogs for Teen Parents

by Sue Scheff on May 17, 2011


Far more than a subject for an MTV show or platform for the daughter of a former vice presidential candidate, teenage mothering is a very serious topic. The practice of babies having babies can affect the whole family from parent to child and even grandparent. With times getting more difficult, it can be increasingly hard to find the time and/or money to speak with a professional.

If struggling with the issue of teen parenting, have a look at these top 50 blogs for teen parents. No matter if you are the teen parent, the parent of a teen parent, or even the grandparent, there is something for you written by everyone from teen mothers to pediatricians.

Top Blogs for Teen Parents by Teens

Get a blog just for or by teenage parents in the below.

  1. I’m a Teenage Mom Abby O’Neill likes to talk about immaturity and being a parent with plenty of it. In the blogging business since 2006, she has loads of posts to share on it. Words of wisdom and recommendations are often given through blog posts.
  2. Teen Parent TV Because teens would rather watch television than read, there is this blog. Entries come in both written and video form. There are also channels for teen mothers, fathers, and even grandparents.
  3. Teen Parents Blog Visit here for the official blog of the Capital District YFC’s Teen Parents Team. It features news, updates, prayer requests, and the occasional random thought. Be sure to visit their main site with more.
  4. Teen Advice Blog Loads of bloggers stop by here to write about many issues surrounding teens. There is also a special section for teen pregnancy that has loads on what to expect. Other categories include health issues, school, family, and more.
  5. National Teen Pregnancy Get the latest headlines in teen parenting and pregnancy from the Examiner. It gathers all the relevant news from all the contributors to one convenient place. A recent one was on the Freedom Condom.
  6. Teen Parenting Families.com is a site that has loads of blog entries concerning the family. In this special section, they focus on teen parenting. Recent entries contain a true story of a teen mom and changes in attitudes towards teen pregnancy.
  7. Teen Diaries This blog is a life guide for young urban women. What guide would be complete without a section on teen parenting? Several bloggers take on the topic as well as many others important to teen girls.
  8. Teen Mom Blog If you love the MTV show “Teen Mom” and all its spin-offs, click here. The blogger here keeps news updates and details on girls from the show. Links to whole items are often shared.

Top Blogs for Parenting Teens

Because teens still have parents of their own, there are these blogs.

  1. Parenting Teens Denise Witmer has worked with adolescents for years and is active in teen development and living programs. Her goal is to help parents with the various issues surrounding their teens from sexuality to answering real questions. She even has videos on projects to do with teens and how to teach them to drive.
  2. Sue Scheff Blog She is the founder of Parents’ Universal Resource Experts. Sue has tons of knowledge on parenting and has more on teens including at risk teens, bullying, cell phone dangers, and other topics. Be sure not to miss her main site and podcasts with more.
  3. LA Parenting Teens Examiner Published author Evelyn B. Block has almost 30 years of experience working with teens as a child and family therapist. She also spends her time as an educator, consultant, and parent when not authoring this blog. Recent entries were on how to teach teens money skills.
  4. Teen Advice Parenting Barbara McRae is the bestselling author of “Coach Your Teen to Success,” host of Bridging the GAP Radio Show, and founder of Teen Frontier International. Her blog is full of success stories of parents who have overcome obstacles in teen parenting. There are also many podcasts containing her expert advice.
  5. Parenting my Teen This blog and podcast is all about you and your teens. Categories include everything from divorce to teen dating. In addition to regular blog posts, you can also get many episodes available over the web.
  6. Troubled Teen Blog Get support with families with troubled teens on this blog. It is a place to share stories, gain support, and help others in their parenting teen journey. A recent entry was on a rebellious teen leaving home.
  7. Parenting Teens Online Visit here for many resources for parents of teenagers. Podcasts and articles cover everything from alcohol to technology. A recent entry was on how parents can make a difference in teen pregnancy.

Top Pregnancy Blogs for Teen Parents

Learn more about the scariest nine months of a mother’s life in these blogs.

  1. Pregnancy and Childbirth Robin Elise Weiss is a childbirth and postpartum educator, certified doula, doula trainer, and lactation counselor. With eight children of her own, she knows all about pregnancy and childbirth firsthand. Check out her blog for topics such as what to expect during labor, dealing with doctors, and much more.
  2. Pregnancy Health Examiner Jasmine Jafferali is a maternal, child, and family health educator. Her mission is to teach women to take charge of their health and well-being. With a growing family of her own, she often shares news items of interests as well as expert thoughts.
  3. Belly Itch JJ is many things, including a leading pregnancy blogger. Her site often gets notoriety for unique entries on pregnancy in the news, expecting celebrities, and much more. She often also shares true stories of mothers to be.
  4. Fit Pregnancy All expecting mothers gain weight, but it doesn’t have to be a bad thing by stopping here. Popular articles include the first trimester, product recalls, and pregnancy hunger. Be sure not to miss the many sub-blogs.
  5. ABC Family Arwen first began this blog years ago as a way to document her conception journey. It is now a family blog that is all about her two little blessings. With a third on the way, it is also a top notch pregnancy blog.
  6. Pregnant Women and Babies Lily of the Valley is a philosopher by training, counselor, wife, and mother. She often blogs on the spiritual aspects of it all. Popular posts include sinus infections and mastitis.
  7. Pregnancy Weekly This is an online magazine about pregnancy, baby, and parenting. Part of a site of the same name, they offer quick links such as an A to Z of topics and a baby name finder. You can also use it to customize your very own pregnancy calendar.
  8. ItsaBelly Melissa Moog thought of this blog when she was searching for a car seat. After doing loads of related research, she decided to share what she has learned with other expectant mothers. The blog is now a leading choice for those overwhelmed with information and needing to make sense of it all.
  9. Good Pregnancy Guide Pregnancy advice and information on expecting is shared here. In addition to the many guides on pregnancy, you can get tips for after baby as well. The latest news includes saving money and natural pain relief.
  10. Pregtastic Get loads of radio programs over the web by visiting here. Sunny is both host and producer of this weekly show celebrating the road to motherhood. Get information on topics such as prenatal nutrition and birthing options, or check out the blog for the newest.

Top Expert Blogs for Teen Parents

These medical professionals have loads more to say on pregnancy and parenting.

  1. News Moms Need Everyone knows the March of Dimes has a mission to help mothers and mothers in training get up to date health information. The blog continues in that tradition. Categories include planning for a baby, pregnancy, and even a Mother of the Day.
  2. Pediatrics Vincent Iannelli is a board certified pediatrician and part of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He is the author of “The Everything Father’s First Year Book” and has loads of advice for parents. Must reads include a symptom checker, height predictor, and symptoms of measles.
  3. 10 Centimeters and Beyond Nurse Lochia is a night shift labor delivery nurse in the Midwest. She is also a mother of four children and has seen the stirrups from both sides. A standout choice for entries as both a parent and a healthcare professional.
  4. At Your Cervix This blog is often a popular choice and probably has much to do with the title. However, Joy also includes expert entries on the experience of giving birth. She is also studying nursing and shares more.
  5. Life and Times of an L&D Nurse Deb is a Southern California mom who works as a labor and delivery nurse. She writes about both her daughter and life at the hospital. She is also studying and writes all about it.
  6. Doctor Mama She is a physician, mother, and educator with a son. Everything she says “is right, especially if it’s about running.” Get entries on work, mommy life, and more with a visit.
  7. Painfully Speaking Jessica is a mother of two boys and a labor nurse. She is also a sufferer of chronic head pain. She first experienced it during her second pregnancy and has written about it since.
  8. Stand and Deliver Rixa shares reflections on pregnancy, birth, and mothering here. She even has a special section on breeches. Popular posts include what giving birth feels like and a ring sling tutorial.
  9. Ob/Gyn Kenobi Dr, Whoo plays one in real life but alters names and places for privacy. An actual OB/GYN, there are loads of expert advice on the blog. One of the most recent was on do’s and don’ts.

Top Midwife Blogs for Teen Parents

Also experts on childbirth, check out the blogs of these midwives, doulas, and more.

  1. Birth Sense Aka the Midwife Next Door, she features a common sense guide to normal birth. Sections include what to expect from a midwife, cesarean births, and more. A recent entry was on the evidence of risk on vaccinations.
  2. Dou-la-la In addition to being a doula in training, she is a birth advocate and childbirth educator. Also a lactation consultant, she is gravitating towards becoming a midwife. Blog posts are on related items and things that interest her.
  3. Conscious Birth Blog This blog is authored by a nurse midwife and certified lactation consultant. Kristina’s philosophy is “empowerment through knowledge, birth by instinct.” She is also the author of a book on breastfeeding and has more.
  4. Enjoy Birth Visit here for a more empowering and enjoyable pregnancy and birth. Sheridan is the mother of three boys and a hypno-doula. Learn more about what she does and how she does it with a visit.
  5. Hypnobabies Stop here for another blog on hypno-birthing. In addition to the blog, you can get a free CD on the topic. There are also many birth stories to keep you busy.
  6. Navelgazing Midwife She is a licensed and certified professional midwife who is currently doing monitrice and doula work. With a work history dating back to 1983, she is no stranger to the subject. She is also a proud grandmother and shares more.
  7. Birth at Home Don’t think you can give birth at home? Diana, a homebirth midwife, runs into that a lot. See more on the topic as well as natural childbirth with a visit.
  8. Birth Unplugged Brittany is a stay-at-home mom of two and a former preschool teacher. She is currently studying to become certified as a birth doula through Childbirth International. A recent entry was an instructional on how to get your partner to agree to a birth plan.
  9. Midwifery/Comadrona Eunice Romero provides holistic traditional homebirth midwifery care in Florida. She specializes in home birth and water birthing services. Get true life stories on what she does with a read.
  10. The Unnecesariean Jill and others author this blog for patient advocacy and on the practice of cesarean surgeries. Click to get an overview and tips for avoiding one. One of the latest posts was on the perceptions of giving birth at home.

Top Grandparent Blogs for Teen Parents

    Because many teenage parents turn to their parents when pregnant, check out these blogs by and for grandparents. Although many of the above top 50 blogs for teen parents are written by professionals and medical experts, see a licensed physician of your own before following any of the advice they give.
    1. Nanahood Learn about the second half of the mothering journey in this blog. Teresa has loads of tips and product reviews for mothers. A recent entry was on the joys of napping.
    2. Nana’s Corner This grandmother is a high school special education teacher with three grandchildren. Proving that you’re never too old to learn technology, she blogs on parenting, grandparenting, and teaching. Useful posts are on activities, recipes, product reviews, and much more.
    3. Grandparents Susan Adcox is a former English and journalism teacher with seven grandchildren. She believes that grandparents can greatly enrich the lives of their grandchildren, and her goal is to help them find more ways to do so. Must reads on her blog include choosing a grandmother name and visitation rights.
    4. SandwichINK This blog is written exclusively for the Sandwich Generation. That is, those who are dealing with the issues of caring for both their elderly parents and babysitting grandchildren. Categories include issues, caring, Bible verses, saving money, and more.
    5. A Grandparent’s Voice Pam Loxley Drake is a 63 year-old grandma living in the state of Oregon. She provides a unique voice for women at this point in their life. A recent entry was on the “Once Upon a Time” of parenting.
    6. Grandma’s Briefs Get “bits and bytes of life’s second act” here. Lisa is a laid off newspaper editor looking to keep her writing muscle flexed and finding a way through her blog. Children and grandchildren are often the topics of posts.

Source:  Online Classes for College visit http://www.onlineclassesforcollege.org/

 

 

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Sue Scheff: Relationship Reality – Teens and Sex

by Sue Scheff on Jun 02, 2010


As summer is approaching teens have more spare time.  Whether they are engaging in summer parties, summer sleep overs or just hanging out, sex is a topic that many teens are in tune with.

What is your teen’s relationship reality?  Do they understand that a relationship is built on trust and respect?  It is more than going out on a few dates, it is more than spending hours on the phone or texting each other continuously.

The decisions your teen make about their relationships matter a lot – both in the short-term and in the long-term. So, Stay Teen has collected some facts, tips, and feedback from teens about what makes a healthy relationship and how to avoid an unhealthy one.

Tips for healthy relationships:

  • Just because you think “everyone is doing it,” doesn’t mean they are. Some are, some aren’t — and some are lying.
  • There are a lot of good reasons to say “no, not yet.” Protecting your feelings is one of them.
  • You’re in charge of your own life – don’t let anyone pressure you into having sex.
  • You can always say “no” — even if you’ve said “yes” before.
  • If you’re drunk or high, you can’t make good decisions about sex. Don’t do something you might not remember or might really regret.
  • Sex won’t make him or her yours and a baby won’t make them stay.

FACT: Most teens say it is not embarrassing to be a virgin. - Stay Teen

Encourage your teen to take the StayTeen.org quiz today!

In South Florida, Planned Parenthood can help you educate your teens on sex and if they are considering have it. Teen Talk is targeted at discussing sex education and protection with your teens.

Be an educated parent, you will have healthier and safer teens.

Read more.

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Sue Scheff: Planned Parenthood – Teen Time

by Sue Scheff on Mar 20, 2010


On Thursday March 25th, 2010, at 6:00pm  – 8:00 pm join the discussion of Planned Parenthood’s legislative priorities, how to deal with anti-choice attacks, and how you can help advance women’s reproductive health care rights. There are several briefings coming up, so you can attend one that best fits your schedule.

This is a free event. A light dinner will be served, and your RSVP is kindly requested. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Takeata King Pang at Takeata.Pang@ppsoflo.org  or (561) 472-9942.

Promoting education on teen pregnancy enhances your daughter’s awareness about STD’s, pregnancy prevention, birth control options including abstinence as well as the sensitive issue of adoption. 

Planned Parenthood of South Florida also offers The Teen Time® Carrera Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program (Teen Time®) which uses a holistic approach that aims to empower youth. The program helps young people to develop personal goals and the desire for a productive future.

In addition to developing sexual literacy and educating teens about the risks associated with sexual activity, the program also emphasizes the importance of education and employment. Youths start the program at age 11 or 12 and continue past high school. They work with them five days a week, after school, and throughout the summer. There are sites in Belle Glade, Lake Worth, West Palm Beach, and Fort Pierce, in areas with high rates of teen pregnancy and low high school graduation rates.
 

Find out more about Teen Time – click here.

Be an educated parent, you will have safer and healthier teens.  Watch video and read more.

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Sue Scheff: 16 and Pregnant – Reality Show of Teen Pregnancy

by Sue Scheff on Feb 22, 2010


Parenting today can be one of the most difficult jobs any adult will have.  “Adult” being the operative word, when a teenager has a child it can be even more stressful and complicated.

16 and Pregnant, which airs on MTV and is hosted by Dr. Drew, will give you a birds-eye view of teenagers having babies.  From deciding on whether to keep the baby, to giving birth, 16 and Pregnant will take you inside the lives of girls living through the difficult process being pregnant and having a baby.

In 16 and Pregnant, you will see a variety of girls with a variety of decisions.  What works best for them, and what is best for their child.  Will the father be involved, or does he want to be involved? 

These teens learn that being pregnant means having to grow up very fast.  The new challenges they face, the financial responsibilities compounded with the emotional roller coaster ride of having a baby and still being a child (teen). 

What about school?  What choices will they make? 16 and Pregnant will take you through the lives of several young teens and definitely can be an eye-opener to those that believe that having a baby is easy.  From going out to party to growing up real fast, being pregnant is a responsibility that is not easy.

These are expecting teens experiencing the consequences of unprotected sex and learning about the unexpected challenges of being pregnant raising a baby.

Be an educated parent, talk to your teens about sex.  Talk to your kids period.

Watch the trailer and read more on Examiner.

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Sue Scheff: Teen Sex Education and Prevention

by Sue Scheff on Jul 30, 2009


Teenage Sexuality and the Pressures to Have Sex

We began this site with the intention of providing useful information and advising on all issues regarding teen pregnancy. We thought it might also be helpful to parents to understand some of the reasons teenage girls are choosing to have sex at younger and younger ages. The idea of sexuality has become embedded in almost every part of our society. The media is crawling with sexual innuendo and suggestive imagery; music and magazines put forth all kinds of evocative material while movies and TV shows often feature situations in which teenagers are experimenting with increasingly scandalous sexual behavior. ItÕs no wonder that young women often feel pressured to conform to societal standards of acceptable sexual conduct and do so by allowing sex to occur earlier than it otherwise might have. Right now nearly half of teens in the US ages from 15-19 have had sex at least one time. So, if fifty percent of AmericaÕs teenagers are participating in sexual intercourse, itÕs not difficult to imagine the amount of pregnancies that are occurring as a result.

The studies done on teenage pregnancies show staggering results. If you are the parent of a teen or pre-adolescent, it is wise to educate yourself on the current trends regarding pregnancy and sexual activity in order to be informed about what pressures your child might be exposed to. A survey done by [The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy(http://www.thenationalcampaign.org )], an organization dedicated to reducing the number of unwanted teen pregnancies, reveals that 46.8 percent of all high school students in America had have sexual intercourse at least once. The National Campaign has also reported that close to half of all pregnancies yearly in the United States are unplanned, and that the rate of unwanted or unplanned pregnancies is highest among teens.

When thinking about the causes and consequences of teen sexuality and pregnancy, a parent should consider some additional factors that play into the topic. There are some further outlying trends in terms of teenage sexual behavior that affect a teenÕs decision to participate in sexual activity. How much does the idea of peer pressure actually influence teen sex? Where are teens experiencing their first sexual encounter? What are the tendencies among age groups- that is, are teens in relationships with older partners more likely to engage in sexual behavior than those who are closer in age to their partner? Another issue to bear in mind is that of drugs and alcohol, and how often substances play a part in the choice to have sex. Being prepared in these areas prior to a discussion can help a parent remain open-minded instead of intimidating or harsh.

Pressure to Have Sex

Perhaps because of the media’s representation of sex, or the desire to portray a “cool” image to friends and schoolmates, it’s no doubt that teenagers today feel the pressure of having sex. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy reports that at least ten percent of teenage girls Òdescribe their first sexual experience as [unwanted (http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/resources/pdf/SS/SS3_YoungAdols.pdf )].)Although this may not mean the encounter was completely unwarranted, it means that there was still a level of hesitation and uncertainty on the part of the female. In addition, more younger sexually active teens report wishing they had waited longer to have sex than do older sexually active teens. The fact is, many teenagers submit to the idea of sex merely to assuage the pressure that accompanies not having it.

Birth Control

One of the most detrimental factors to teens is a lack of the use and knowledge of birth control methods available to them. A common thought is that a girl cannot get pregnant the first time she has sex, and she therefore may decide to forego using any type of birth control whatsoever. However, more and more, teenagers are finding out about different contraceptive options and utilizing them. Around two-thirds of teenagers say that they used some type of contraceptive during their very first experience with sexual intercourse.

Differences in Age

One interesting fact is that among teenagers around the age of 14, almost half in relationships report dating someone at least two years older. Teens are often romantically drawn to older people, yet the gaps in age have shown sexual intercourse to happen earlier and more frequently than in relationships where the partners are closer in age. The rate at which teenagers who are two or more years apart have sex almost doubles compared with the rate for those who are the same age. In addition, if the age difference is three or more years, the rate goes up another ten percent.

Substance Abuse as a Factor

For many parents the idea of their teen having sex is enough of a disturbing reality that adding the notion that alcohol or drugs could play a part in the act is too much to take. But turning a blind eye to the possibility could be very hazardous to your relationship with your child and also to his or her safety. Knowing the truth about teens and the affect substances have on judgment can enhance a parent’s understanding of why teens often choose to have sex earlier than they might be ready to. Not only do drugs and alcohol have the ability to influence teens decisions in a potentially sexual situation, but studies have also shown that teenagers who are sexually active are more likely on the whole to abuse drugs and alcohol. A survey done by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy showed that almost half of sexually active teens used marijuana in the past, while only ten percent of non-sexually active had tried it.

We believe that no matter what a family’s views on sex and pregnancy may be, communication between family members early and often about the subject is key to not only a teen’s safety but also to a functional relationship between teenagers and their parents. One of the core hindrances in communication is the divergence of opinions about sex and what sex means. As a parent, you probably believe you know what is best for your child, and do not see other options as viable. For parents, it is easy to overlook the fact that teens truly believe they know themselves and how the world works, and act accordingly. Sometimes the difference in age between a parent and child creates discrepancies in judgment, and both parties involved think their ideas are the most sensible. But whether the barriers are based on generational differences or contrasting personalities, there are still ways a parent can assert guidance without coming across as authoritative or imposing. Adolescent sexual behavior cannot always be prevented, but if you are a parent, there are avenues you can take to educate your teen so that they will be informed to make the best decision for themselves when the time comes. This site  aims to promote positive communication between parents and teens, and also will help educated parents so that they may be as informed as possible on the subject.

 

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Sue Scheff: The National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

by Sue Scheff on May 06, 2009


teenpregday

Source: National Campaign To Prevent Teen Pregnancy

May 6, 2009 is the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. How do you score? Take the National Day Quiz and find out.

 

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 Teens | Parents
http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/national/pdf/2009/2009_ND_obama_message.pdf - Letter from President Obama.

prevteenpregHundreds of thousands of teens nationwide are expected to participate in the eighth annual National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy on May 6, 2009. The purpose of the National Day is straightforward. Too many teens still think “It can’t happen to me.” The National Day helps teens understand that it can happen to them and that they need to think seriously about what they would do in the moment.

Why a National Day? Since the early 1990s, the teen pregnancy rate has declined 38 percent and the teen birth rate has declined 32%. In fact, few social problems have improved quite as dramatically over the past decade plus. The most recent news on this front, however, has not been positive. According to data released in March 2009 by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), the U.S. teen birth rate increased for the second year in a row since 2005. These increases follow 14 years of continuous decline in the teen birth rate. That is, after declining 34% between 1991 and 2005, the teen birth rate has now increased 5% between 2005 and 2007.

“Clearly a renewed focus on preventing teen pregnancy is needed,” said Sarah Brown, Chief Executive Officer of The National Campaign. “We hope that – in some modest way – the quiz will help teens think carefully about sex and contraception, the possibility of pregnancy, and the lifelong challenges of being a parent.”

About the National Day. On the National Day and throughout May, teens nationwide will be asked to go to The National Campaign’s teen website—StayTeen.org —and take a short, scenario-based quiz (available in English and Spanish). The quiz challenges young people to consider what they would do in a number of sexual situations.

In 2008, more than 300,000 people took the National Day Quiz—up from 75,000 in 2002. Participants were able to take the quiz online or download a print version in English or Spanish. National Day Quiz discussion guides for parents and teens were also available and were downloaded thousands of times.

Over 1,000 teens who took the National Day Quiz took part in a post-quiz evaluation survey. Among the findings:

  • 73% said the Quiz made them think about what they might do in such situations;
  • 54% said the Quiz made the risks of sex and teen pregnancy seem more real to them;
  • 50% said they’d learned something new from the Quiz about the consequences of sex;
  • 55% said they’d talk to their friends about the situations described in the Quiz;
  • 51% said the Quiz made them think about things they hadn’t thought about before;
  • 54% said they’d encourage others to take the Quiz;
  • 57% said some of the situations in the Quiz were things that they or their friends had faced; and
  • 48% said they’d talk to their parents or other adults about the situations described in the Quiz.

Additionally, 56% reported taking the quiz as part of a school activity and 31% said they took the quiz at home. About one-third of teens (32%) learned about the quiz from a parent, teacher, or another trusted adult and another one-third (30%) of teens learned about the quiz from one of our online media partners.

Partnerships. The National Campaign works with a variety of partners to make the National Day a success year after year.

  • National Partnerships. National Day partners include a diverse group of media outlets, health sector leaders, education leaders, businesses, youth-serving groups, groups representing elected officials, fatherhood and male involvement groups, faith-based groups, and other prominent national organizations. These groups promote the National Day to their members, affiliates, customers, audiences, and contacts in ways the National Campaign could never have afforded or accomplished on its own. For an up-to-date list of this year’s National Day Partners, visit our Partners page.
  • Media Partnerships. Each year, The National Campaign works with a variety of online and traditional media partners to spread the word about the National Day. Among this year’s partners are ABC, ABC Family, NBC, The N, Seventeen, CWtv.com, Maury, and many others. For more information about our National Day media partnerships, visit our Media Partners page.
  • State and Local Partnerships. The National Day continues to be a remarkable organizing event for states and communities nationwide. To help these state and local promotional efforts, the National Campaign develops and distributes a variety of teen-friendly materials—such as National Day wristbands and pens—to help raise awareness of the National Day among teens and adult professionals who work with teens. For a state-by-state breakdown of National Day activities, please visit our What’s Happening in 2009? section. If you are planning a 2009 National Day event, please tell us about it.

Outside information:

More information about teen pregnancy.

HIV Testing for Teens.

Teen Pregnancy Website

 

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