Teen Pregnancy
by Shannon K. Spellman, M.S.W.
While teen pregnancy rates appeared to have been declining since the 90's, [1] recent news reports are that it has actually risen 3% between 2005 and 2006. [2] This is still a problem that most parents worry about at one point or another during the life cycle stage of adolescence with their kids. The good news is that research shows parents actually have the strongest influence with their teens when it comes to sexual decision-making. [3]
In fact, 45% of teens surveyed reported that parents were the most influential in their sexual decision making as opposed to 31% of the adolescents who reported that peers were the most influential. [3] More great news is that having a close relationship with a parent as well as having consistent parental supervision resulted in adolescents who tended to begin having sexual activity at an older age, have fewer sexual partners, and use contraception more consistently. [3] However, being extremely strict and authoritarian with parenting and supervision actually resulted in an increased risk for teen pregnancy. [3] So, clearly balance is the key. It is also known that while encouraging abstinence is important, this needs to be also equally balanced with providing accurate, age appropriate, and scientifically based information regarding contraception and safe sex practices. [4]
Many parents find it difficult to talk with their teenagers about sex. They worry that if they bring up the subject they may be planting an idea or condoning adolescent sexual behavior. Most teens are not likely to run out and have sex because their parents brought it up. It's a topic that needs to be discussed in grade school and then reinforced throughout the teen years in order to have open lines of communication between parents and kids. Parents can temper their discussion with age-appropriate information. Don't be afraid to share your fears with your teen. But try and remember that it is your teen's values and decision-making process that is being formed and that it will happen with or without your input. Try and offer your values as your own and be open to your teen having different ones from you or those you would prefer he/she develops. If situations arise where you learn that your teen has been sexual, use it as a way of opening up the discussion again. Set boundaries that you can enforce such as what occurs in your household. Parents that find it too uncomfortable to talk with their adolescents verbally should consider writing a letter or email and requesting a reply. And don't forget the good news, that you have more influence than you may have thought, as long as your discussions are a blend of balanced information about disease and pregnancy prevention coupled with realistic age-appropriate rules and expectations for behavior. Open the lines of communication with your teen today!
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References
1. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, "Teen Pregnancy Rates in the United States, 1972-2002" [online] Accessed 01-25-08. (http://www.teenpregnancy.org/resources/data/ pdf/pregrate_Oct2006.pdf)
2. Associated Press. "U.S. teen births rise for first time since 1991". MSNBC [online] 12-05-2007. Accessed 01-25-08. Statistics reproduced with permission of Interactive News, LLC in the Format Internet posting via Copyright Clearance Center.(http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22114244/)
3. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, "Parent Power" teenpregnancy.org [online] accessed 01-25-08. (http://www.teenpregnancy.org/resources/ reading/parentpower/default.asp)
4. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, "Putting What Works to Work",[online] accessed 01-25-08. (http://www.teenpregnancy.org/works/default.asp)
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