How to prevent unwanted teenage pregnancies?
There are a number of ways to prevent teenage pregnancies.
The first way to prevent teenage pregnancies is to educate teenagers on teenage pregnancy. The media's publizing of celebrities' pregnancies and babies creates a glamorized view of parenthood. Parents and teachers plays an important part in preventing teenage pregnancies. Parents and teachers can help teenagers understand that being a parent is a full-time job and they may have to sacrifice their hobbies and pursuits. Teenagers also have to know the consequences of unwanted pregnancies.
Another way to prevent teenage pregnancies is to educate teenagers on pregnancy prevention. It is important that teenagers understand the importance of using birth control if they choose to become sexually active.
There are a number of different ways to describe birth control. Terms include contraception, pregnancy prevention, fertility control, and family planning. But no matter what the process is called, sexually active people can choose from a plethora of methods to reduce the possibility of their becoming pregnant. Nevertheless, no method of birth control available today offers perfect protection against sexually transmitted diseases, or STIs, except abstinence.
The first is the natural way, or abstinence, to not have sex at all if they do not plan to start a family. The advantage here is that it is a sure way of ensuring that there are no pregnancies. This method also ensures that no sexually transmitted infections pass on from one sex partner to another. However, to not have sex, requires a great deal of control on both parties.
Next is the mechanical method. This refers to an intrauterine device [IUD]). It is a device. The intrauterine device (IUD) is a method of birth control designed for insertion into a woman's uterus so that changes occur in the uterus that makes it difficult for fertilization of an egg and implantation of a pregnancy. IUDs approved for use in the U.S. contain medications that are released over time to facilitate the contraceptive effect.
The IUD is a small "T"-shaped device with a monofilament tail that is inserted into the uterus by a health care practitioner in the office setting. When inserted into the uterus, the arms of the "T" are folded down, but they then open out to form the top of the "T". The device rests inside the uterus with the base of the T just above the cervix and the arms of the T extending horizontally across the uterus. A short piece of monofilament string attached to the IUD extends through the cervix into the vagina. This string makes it possible to be sure that the IUD is still in the uterus. The only disadvantage about this device is that it has to replaced often which may be troublesome to some people.
There is also the blockage method such as using the condom. Most condoms are made of a type of rubber called "latex." Latex condoms are the most effective condom at preventing STDs. Recently, condoms made of polyurethane (a type of plastic) have become available. These are more expensive than latex condoms and seem to break more easily. They are mainly useful for people who are allergic to latex. There are also "natural" condoms, which are made of animal membranes (lambskin). These are expensive and although they are effective at preventing pregnancy, they do not decrease the spread of many sexually transmitted diseases.
Teenagers also have to know the changes they may expect when they are pregnant. They may feel differently after they are pregnant. Most unmarried teenagers don't plan on becoming pregnant, and are terrified when it happens. When they are pregnant, they will keep the news to themselves as they are afraid that their parents may be angry or disappointed. Hence, parents of pregnant teenagers will not be able to know until they notice the symptoms of pregnancy on their children. It might be too late to abort the baby if the parents are not observant enough.
Teenage boys who are going to become fathers also need involvement of their parents. Some of them may welcome the chance to be involved with their children, while some feel frightened and guilty and may need to be encouraged to face their responsibilities.
Another thing that may be the cause of teenage pregnancies is teenagers searching for Intimacy, Social Status, as well as Pleasure. Teenagers expect that the goals for searching for intimacy, social status and pleasure will be fulfilled if they have sex. Research shown that boys and girls valued relationship goals differently. Girls considered intimacy significantly more important than boys did. Boys reported higher expectations that sex would lead to pleasure and social status. The researchers say programs to dissuade early teen sex usually focus on the negative -- the risks of STDs and pregnancy.
Hence, parents' role are very important. Parents are the role model of their children. They have to help their children understand the causes of unwanted teenage pregnancies and also the risks of STDs and pregnancy.
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