Teen pregnancy

I decided to do my persuasive blog this week on teen pregnancy. The main reason is I had my two children at the age of 15 and 16. This issue really hits home for me and a few other people I know around this age.

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy has several preventive measures that can be taken to help prevent teen pregnancy. Such as changing the way the public views the problem by working with policymakers, the news media, state and local leaders, as well as other influential sectors to tackle the teen and unplanned pregnancy problem. This in turn can help improve overall child and family well-being. Another way is to develop, produce, and disseminate a wide range of materials such as cutting edge research to posters, postcard, and public service announcements. You could also encourage careful, consistent use of family planning practices by ALL who are sexually active and NOT seeking pregnancy. Encouraging responsible, healthy relationships among young adults to help them achieve their future family and career goals before becoming sexually active without contraceptives. Another good way would be to help parents realize their critical role they have in helping their children’s decisions about sex. One way I really like is working directly with young people. There are more than 7,000 young people that participate in the Youth Online Network, and close to 3 million have participated in the online National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy that work with policymakers, the press, and others that serve as powerful advocates in their own communities. I wish there was a pill or something that men could take as well as women so it doesn’t always fall on the woman to be protected. Yeah there are condoms but they are not 100% effective and neither is the pill or any other contraceptive but it helps lessen the chances.

I really wish there was more education when I was younger; not only about teen pregnancy but about drugs and alcohol. I was 14 when I got pregnant with my son and 15 when I got pregnant with my daughter. I dropped out of high school twice and finally got my GED. As much as I love my kids and would not trade them for the world I really wished I would have waited and had more active parents in my life. I would have been able to finish school, go to college earlier and make a better life for them. But I didn’t so I live everyday to the best of my ability. I know a few kids that pregnant either before me or right around the same time that ended up with their parents raising their kids so they could continue partying and doing drugs. However, I knew that it was my responsibility. I was the one that got myself into the situation and I was the one that would step up to the plate. One way that I think would be helpful, maybe not perfect, but I think any teen that is sexually active should have to have one of those dolls that are like real babies. That way they get the idea of what is like to have a kid and still go to school or to work. I baby-sat growing up and I loved it. But it in no way prepared me for taking care of a child full-time. I really like that show 16 and Pregnant on MTV. It’s kind of a wake up call to most and I personally can relate to them. I know most people don’t agree with me but I have seriously thought about putting my daughter on some sort of birth control when she is old enough. I pray to God that she won’t follow in my foot steps and I truly hope that she feels comfortable enough talking with me about this sort of stuff but just in case.