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What would be better facts or statistics? It is a fact that
the number of teens becoming pregnant is down, yet the
number is still way too high.
Want numbers? Approximately 1 million teenage girls age
15-19 become pregnant every year. 25% of them will give
birth to a second child within two years.
Will
teen Pregnency ever become non-exist? No, but there are
things that can be done to help lower the rate of teen
pregnancies. How? What?
Education
That's right educated these girls and boys, because that is
what they are. They are not adults yet and need to be
taught.
Only 69% of U.S. schools teach sex education. That's right
69%. Why? Everyone knows the teen Pregnency rate, so why
aren't the schools helping? The ones that do teach sex
education are teaching abstinence instead of how to protect
themselves if they do have sex. And its a fact that teens
are having sex so why not teach them the things that could
bring teen Pregnency rates down?
Preventions
The best thing is the help these teenagers know what protect
is available and how to obtain or use it.
Birth controls are readily available at health departments
for little or no cost.
Condoms as well can be found at health departments and
drugstores everywhere.
Yes, its hard to talk about sex to teenagers that think they
know everything. Its harder to see a baby having a baby if
it could have been stopped with some education and knowledge
of what was out there to help prevent the Pregnency all
together.
Beyond all of the facts and statistics. The best way to
teach kids is for them to hear a story from someone just
like them that has been in their shoes and paid the price.
One Teens Story
How did it all start? I think we all know the answer to that
question. Sex.
Yes, I started having sex at the age of 15. Am I ashamed of
the decision? No. Could or would I change it? Yes. Not
because I slept with many guys it was only one and I loved
him or thought I did. It turns out I didn't or maybe I was
just too young to settle down. So, I moved on.
I met someone else and found myself in the same position
only this time I ended up pregnant at the rip age of 19. My
first semester in college. It was supposed to be a time of
fun and new experiences. Instead I was going to have a baby.
Something I wanted but not now at this time in my life. I
wanted to finish college and find the right man.
Instead I found myself married to the wrong man and unhappy.
We struggled. We both had jobs, but it still was hard to
make ends meet. I had to grow up fast and take responsible
for my actions, while my new husband couldn't and to this
day doesn't own up to his.
I can't change the fact that I had a baby at 19 and I
wouldn't. She is the best thing in the world. I just wish it
would have been later in life. Despite my struggles I
divorced my sorry husband after three years of fighting and
unhappiness. Finished my degree and met the man of my
dreams.
I was lucky with my first child to have loving parents that
helped me through everything. Most don't have that kind of
help and it makes it harder. The only thing I would change
was the marriage. If I could do it over I wouldn't have
gotten married. I've raised a bright and beautiful little
girl who is now 6. Her biological father is not longer in
our lives and has been since the divorce. Which is sad, but
she has a father who loves her very much and will always be
there for her.
I can't say there is anything that would have stopped me
from having sex or getting pregnant. I could have pushed
protection more than I did at the time and it was my fault I
didn't. But it is over with now. I just happen to be one of
lucky ones to have a happy ending to my story. Many teens
don't have anyone to talk to or help with raising a child.
If I didn't have the help I did. I can't say I'd be where I
am today. |
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