Domestic Violence

" Teen Pregnancy"

Today's world is full of worries and problems which did not affect

teens generations ago. New problems keep in today's world, such

as STDs, increased pregnancy rates, and other factors facing teens who choose to have sex. Teen pregnancy is a controversial issue because it effects society as a whole. Almost 1 million teenagers become pregnant each year and about 485,000, give birth. High teen birth rates are an important concern because teen mothers and their babies face increased risks to their health. No longer is it a matter which will just go away if we ignore it, but teen health and the health of our society depend on choices which today's teens make regarding sex.

There are several interventions for teen pregnancies but the two found to be most effective is "Sex Education and Birth Control".

More young people are having sex at earlier ages. An emphasis on healthy and responsible sexual behavior and decision making, which should be provided by adults, is lacking in both the home and at school. As far as sex education goes the largest gulf of understanding still remains between the parents and the youth especially in the area of sexuality. Sex is a natural part of life , and when questions arise , they can be discussed in a matured way without condoning certain behavior. Sex education is important to be inserted in a young person's life. Sex education in schools is an intervention for teen pregnancies because it helps young people to be more prepared for life changes such as puberty. Sex education can develop skills and self esteem to help students enter adolescence; and it helps teens to understand the place of sexuality in human life and loving other people. Sex education plays a major role in addressing concerns and correcting the misunderstandings that the youngsters may have gained from sources such as the media and their peers. In addition, they will learn to make decisions that respect themselves and others by taking account the possible consequences such as teen pregnancies. Sex education helps the young people to be more matured and act responsibly and it will not lead youngsters to social ills such as unwanted pregnancies.

The second intervention for teen pregnancy is birth control. There are several types of birth control . The most important form of birth control is "Abstinence", which is the ability to abstain from having sex. It's a hard decision for many teens, because their bodies want to do one thing and maybe they aren't sure but there are pressures to do it and pressures not to do it. Morals can play a big issue in these decisions. A person decides sometime in their life