http://www.npr.org/2011/07/26/138546792/a-young-mom-resists-a-cycle-of-failure
This is another interesting look at the effects of teen pregnancy. It is perhaps more educational than the average episode of "16 and Pregnant" because it focuses instead on the struggles that come after having the baby. None of them are easy: dropping out of school and working to complete a GED, having no parental support, getting pregnant a second time, feeling stuck with a partner because you have no job skills or anywhere else to go.
Just another POV on a situation that seems to have no "normal".
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Time to Talk? Teens and Sex
Ah…the age old adage…Americans are uptight and moralistic, while Europeans are all about free love and pleasure. Is there truth to this statement?
In a recent NYT article, Amy Schalet profiles differences in family reception between the US and the Netherlands to sexual activity among teens. She then assesses the effectiveness of each very divergent attitude. Harkening back to a recently released documentary, “Let’s Talk About Sex”, Schalet probes into the lives of 130 white, middle class people to discern their views on adolescent sexuality.
“Not under my roof!” Who remembers this battle cry? The vast majority of American parents turn a blind eye to their teens’ sexual lives, and, as long as they do not know about it, it is not happening. The problem is, teens ARE having sex, and they need protection. By advancing the stereotype that children are pure well into their twenties, we are only hurting our youth. Most people are sexually active before marriage. This is a fact. No matter how much we deny its existence, it is not going anywhere. So, why do we play the shame game? Why do we force our teens to have sexual experiences in the back seat of a car or anywhere they can have a hidden, rushed copulation? As we all know, that is not the ideal situation.
The article primarily compares two young women-one American and one Dutch-who are sexually active. The American teen refuses to tell her parents and hides her sexuality for fear of tainting her “little princess” status. On the other hand, the Dutch teen is up front with her sex life, and after some talks with dad and mum, the truth is out on the table and fully accepted by both parents. The Dutch teen is now allowed to have her boyfriend “sleepover” because the aforementioned Dutch parents want their daughter to have a comfortable, healthy sex life and still remain an active part of their family.
Many Americans would shirk at this idea. By letting teenagers have sex under their (sacred, virginal) roof, are they are condoning or accepting this act? If so, is this a bad thing? Or, are they actually supporting their daughter’s sexual health by providing a safe environment for sexual expression?
This article has a seemingly low point. Its most tragic observation is the American teen’s desire to be open with her parents. She wants that relationship, and she wants to be accepted for who she is-sexually active or not. Surprisingly, the Dutch teens surveyed also showed a respect for traditionalism and expressed a desire to please their parents. This development shows us that family structure, at least in Holland, can be unharmed, and even strengthened, with complete honesty and acknowledgement of young people’s sexuality. Their approach is that by denying their children’s most intimate feelings and experiences, they are both discrediting them and distancing them from the family unit.
Many teenagers are going to have sex whether their parents “know” or not, so denial is not going to stop the process. However, a knowledgeable family base and information on contraceptives, STIs, and safer sex will make the process a healthier one.
See the full article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/opinion/sunday/24schalet.html?_r=2&ref=opinion
In a recent NYT article, Amy Schalet profiles differences in family reception between the US and the Netherlands to sexual activity among teens. She then assesses the effectiveness of each very divergent attitude. Harkening back to a recently released documentary, “Let’s Talk About Sex”, Schalet probes into the lives of 130 white, middle class people to discern their views on adolescent sexuality.
“Not under my roof!” Who remembers this battle cry? The vast majority of American parents turn a blind eye to their teens’ sexual lives, and, as long as they do not know about it, it is not happening. The problem is, teens ARE having sex, and they need protection. By advancing the stereotype that children are pure well into their twenties, we are only hurting our youth. Most people are sexually active before marriage. This is a fact. No matter how much we deny its existence, it is not going anywhere. So, why do we play the shame game? Why do we force our teens to have sexual experiences in the back seat of a car or anywhere they can have a hidden, rushed copulation? As we all know, that is not the ideal situation.
The article primarily compares two young women-one American and one Dutch-who are sexually active. The American teen refuses to tell her parents and hides her sexuality for fear of tainting her “little princess” status. On the other hand, the Dutch teen is up front with her sex life, and after some talks with dad and mum, the truth is out on the table and fully accepted by both parents. The Dutch teen is now allowed to have her boyfriend “sleepover” because the aforementioned Dutch parents want their daughter to have a comfortable, healthy sex life and still remain an active part of their family.
Many Americans would shirk at this idea. By letting teenagers have sex under their (sacred, virginal) roof, are they are condoning or accepting this act? If so, is this a bad thing? Or, are they actually supporting their daughter’s sexual health by providing a safe environment for sexual expression?
This article has a seemingly low point. Its most tragic observation is the American teen’s desire to be open with her parents. She wants that relationship, and she wants to be accepted for who she is-sexually active or not. Surprisingly, the Dutch teens surveyed also showed a respect for traditionalism and expressed a desire to please their parents. This development shows us that family structure, at least in Holland, can be unharmed, and even strengthened, with complete honesty and acknowledgement of young people’s sexuality. Their approach is that by denying their children’s most intimate feelings and experiences, they are both discrediting them and distancing them from the family unit.
Many teenagers are going to have sex whether their parents “know” or not, so denial is not going to stop the process. However, a knowledgeable family base and information on contraceptives, STIs, and safer sex will make the process a healthier one.
See the full article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/opinion/sunday/24schalet.html?_r=2&ref=opinion
Friday, July 15, 2011
16 and Pregnant: Episode 308, Kianna
Our Take on Episode 308
This episode features Kianna, a 17 year old who lives with her mom in Ft. Worth, Texas. Her boyfriend Zak is 15, plays football at a different school. This makes it difficult for them to see each other often, since Zak doesn’t have his license or a job, and relies on him mom for rides.
Shock and AHH!
Kianna and Zak are both in denial when they find out she is pregnant. Kianna had been taking birth control pills, but had skipped them for three days in a row. As she points out, “Who knew that in those three days your life changes forever?”
It’s important to remember that oral contraceptives are most effective when used correctly. This means taking the pill as directed, every day at the same time. When used correctly, less than 1 out of 100 women will get pregnant a year if they take the pill correctly every day. When pills are not taken every day as directed, 9 out of 100 women a year will become pregnant. If you have missed pills, it’s important to use a back-up method (like male or female condoms or emergency contraception) every time you have vaginal intercourse. If you have questions about pills you have missed, it is best to keep taking one pill a day, using a back-up method, and talking to your health care provider as soon as possible.
Differences of opinion
At first Kianna hopes to place her baby up for adoption. She really wants to finish high school and go to college to become a veterinary technician, and knows how difficult it will be to do all these things while taking care of a newborn. However, Zak is completely opposed to the idea. He wants to keep the baby and be a good father like the one he never had. He doesn’t really seem to understand how much work a baby will be though, and is reluctant to give up football practice and free time. She puts off making a decision, but finally they sit down to talk. They agree to keep the baby as long as Zak is willing to do his share of the work in caring for him. He agrees, and promises things will be fine, even though neither one has a job yet.
Kianna’s communication with her mom is not great either. First she tells her she is considering adoption, but puts off having to tell her they have decided to keep the baby. Mom is surprised, and warns them that they need to start planning and saving, since having a baby “is going to take a lot
Did you know?
Kianna is diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, a common pregnancy-related medical condition. It can occur pre- or post pregnancy and is associated with high blood pressure and a large amount of protein in the urine. This is why Kianna has to carry around the huge jug of pee for the hospital to test. Pre-eclampsia can be dangerous for both mother and baby. There is no cure for pre-eclampsia, other than delivery, and no widely agreed-upon ways to prevent it.
New arrival
After emergency C-section, Kianna gives birth 3 weeks early to a healthy boy, Kay’den. Since everyone is unprepared, Zak and Kianna’s mom scramble to assemble a crib and buy essentials like formula and diapers before Kianna and baby come home. When they finally get to leave the hospital, Kianna is nervous to be alone with her son for the first time. As the weeks go by, Kianna get more comfortable taking care of Kay’den, but realizes just how hard it is going to be balancing her life and baby. It is even harder since Zak still relies on his mom for rides, so he is only able to help out on Sundays. Despite these difficulties, Kianna still holds on to her dreams for the future and wants to build a stable family with Zak.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Interesting Reading
Until today I had never paid much attention to NPR's blogs. But as it turns out, they put out a good one called The Baby Project. Nine pregnant women across the US contribute to share their varied experiences during and after pregnancy. It is all interesting reading, but two posts about stranger's reactions to younger-looking pregnant women and how Medicaid helps one pregnant couple during the pregnancy really stand out. The couple's experience with Medicaid illustrates the differences between commonly held stereotypes and the reality about the program. And regarding Ashley's experiences with people while being pregnant in her small town, all we can do is quote Stephanie Tanner and say... "How rude!!"
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
The state of Oklahoma
I think most people saw the report from a few weeks ago which reported that unintended pregnancies to teenagers cost taxpayers a total of almost $11 billion dollars in 2008. Did you also see this report on the local costs of teen childbearing in Oklahoma? The taxpayer cost is estimated to be at least $190 million dollars, and is based on an analysis of federal and state programs such as child welfare, Medicaid, and other factors such as lost tax revenue due to a decrease in earning and spending, and increased rates of incarceration. From the total of all these costs, it is estimated that 52 percent were state costs and 48 percent were federal.
Here are some more disturbing facts:
More that 7,500 Oklahoma teens gave birth in 2008.
Older teens (18 and 19 year olds) make up two-thirds of all births, and in fact the birth rate for older teens in Oklahoma has gone up, even though in general the teen birth rate in the U.S. has been declining.
In 2007, Oklahoma’s birth rate for older teens jumped from 6th place to 2nd in the nation, right behind Mississippi.
21% of teens who give birth are already mothers.
Statistics are always quite straightforward; the real question is what do they mean? An even better question might be what we can do to change them. Not many people would argue that teen pregnancy is a positive thing, or that Oklahoma’s teen birth rate is just fine the way it is. If we can all agree on this much, and know that teen pregnancy is preventable, why can’t we do more to prevent it? I think one answer is the big “C”, communication. We (often apparently silently) acknowledge that something is wrong but are reluctant to address the issues in our own lives… often until after the fact, when our own children, or perhaps a relative or a friend, has to deal with the realities of teen pregnancy firsthand. Would things be different if we all tried to be more honest and open about the issues surrounding teenage sexuality in our own lives? Of course it’s not easy to have these conversations, but I say it couldn’t hurt to try. We know what we must do to succeed, and we also know the cost of failure. Talking to our families, our friends and our communities might be easier than we think… but there’s only one way to find out!
Here are some more disturbing facts:
More that 7,500 Oklahoma teens gave birth in 2008.
Older teens (18 and 19 year olds) make up two-thirds of all births, and in fact the birth rate for older teens in Oklahoma has gone up, even though in general the teen birth rate in the U.S. has been declining.
In 2007, Oklahoma’s birth rate for older teens jumped from 6th place to 2nd in the nation, right behind Mississippi.
21% of teens who give birth are already mothers.
Statistics are always quite straightforward; the real question is what do they mean? An even better question might be what we can do to change them. Not many people would argue that teen pregnancy is a positive thing, or that Oklahoma’s teen birth rate is just fine the way it is. If we can all agree on this much, and know that teen pregnancy is preventable, why can’t we do more to prevent it? I think one answer is the big “C”, communication. We (often apparently silently) acknowledge that something is wrong but are reluctant to address the issues in our own lives… often until after the fact, when our own children, or perhaps a relative or a friend, has to deal with the realities of teen pregnancy firsthand. Would things be different if we all tried to be more honest and open about the issues surrounding teenage sexuality in our own lives? Of course it’s not easy to have these conversations, but I say it couldn’t hurt to try. We know what we must do to succeed, and we also know the cost of failure. Talking to our families, our friends and our communities might be easier than we think… but there’s only one way to find out!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Age-Appropriate Sexual Education-How Young Is Too Young?
For those of us in the sexuality education field, the above article is no shocker. However, many parents may be astounded-if not appalled-by recommendations to start age-appropriate “sex-ed” as young as two years old. This reaction is completely normal, but, upon further examination, the reader will discover that “sex-ed” can encompass everything from medically accurate names for body parts to discussion on playing “doctor”. The new education guide in question has been approved and supported by Family Planning Victoria and other agencies throughout Australia.
Could we expect such a reception in the United States? Doubtful. Our national mentality still condemns sexuality as not only taboo-but unacceptable before marriage. Our government even funds “purity balls” for young girls to emphasize the importance of virginity. Who wants to bet that these girls couldn’t pick out a uterus from a pineapple? Most American teens severely lack any brand of comprehensive sexual education, and many parents are either too embarrassed or too unsure of themselves to discuss such “sensitive” subject matter with their children. This has resulted in an epidemic of teenage pregnancy, widespread STI infection, and alarming-and often life-threatening-misconceptions about sex and sexuality. So, what could be so wrong with the ideas presented in Walsh’s booklet?
Age-appropriate sexuality education is not about SEX. It’s about healthy bodies, self-esteem, self-awareness, and more. By teaching toddlers the accurate names for their own body parts, they become more capable and apt to monitor themselves and others. For children who are sexually abused or victimized, anatomically correct names can make a world of difference in spotting and resolving the problem. A child who is uncomfortable with his or her body parts may be hesitant to mention inappropriate touching, while a child who has learned proper terminology will more easily identify detrimental behavior. Additionally, a healthy sense of sexuality carries well into adolescence and adulthood, and there is absolutely no correlation between onset of sexuality education and age of initiation for sexual activity.
While this statement may seem hard to believe for many adults, there are numerous studies to support its basis in facts. Additionally, age-appropriate sexuality education prepares children for sexual activity-whenever it does occur. Although the onset may not be any sooner, when activity does begin, these individuals are armed with knowledge, bodily self-confidence, and good communication skills. Creating a trust between parent(s) and child well before sexual activity commences is integral to successful and healthy relationships. Once the trust has been built, children will feel far more comfortable coming to parents for advice and guidance-no matter the topic. So maybe sexual education from a young age isn’t so horrible after all…
For more information, please see the article listed below:
Could we expect such a reception in the United States? Doubtful. Our national mentality still condemns sexuality as not only taboo-but unacceptable before marriage. Our government even funds “purity balls” for young girls to emphasize the importance of virginity. Who wants to bet that these girls couldn’t pick out a uterus from a pineapple? Most American teens severely lack any brand of comprehensive sexual education, and many parents are either too embarrassed or too unsure of themselves to discuss such “sensitive” subject matter with their children. This has resulted in an epidemic of teenage pregnancy, widespread STI infection, and alarming-and often life-threatening-misconceptions about sex and sexuality. So, what could be so wrong with the ideas presented in Walsh’s booklet?
Age-appropriate sexuality education is not about SEX. It’s about healthy bodies, self-esteem, self-awareness, and more. By teaching toddlers the accurate names for their own body parts, they become more capable and apt to monitor themselves and others. For children who are sexually abused or victimized, anatomically correct names can make a world of difference in spotting and resolving the problem. A child who is uncomfortable with his or her body parts may be hesitant to mention inappropriate touching, while a child who has learned proper terminology will more easily identify detrimental behavior. Additionally, a healthy sense of sexuality carries well into adolescence and adulthood, and there is absolutely no correlation between onset of sexuality education and age of initiation for sexual activity.
While this statement may seem hard to believe for many adults, there are numerous studies to support its basis in facts. Additionally, age-appropriate sexuality education prepares children for sexual activity-whenever it does occur. Although the onset may not be any sooner, when activity does begin, these individuals are armed with knowledge, bodily self-confidence, and good communication skills. Creating a trust between parent(s) and child well before sexual activity commences is integral to successful and healthy relationships. Once the trust has been built, children will feel far more comfortable coming to parents for advice and guidance-no matter the topic. So maybe sexual education from a young age isn’t so horrible after all…
For more information, please see the article listed below:
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