TEEN PREGNANCY

By: Joseph Lee, M.D.

Wednesday, May 8, is National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. The American Academy of Pediatrics is joining several national organizations to encourage teenagers and their parents to talk about this issue. Teenagers are encouraged to take an online quiz about their response to common sexual scenarios. This is a confidential quiz for teens to take and evaluate their own attitudes about sexual activity and situations they might find themselves in. To take the quiz, click on www.teenpregnancy.org

Ten tips were suggested for parents to help their children avoid teen pregnancy:    

1. Be clear about your own sexual values and attitudes before you discuss sex, love, and

relationships with your children. If your uncomfortable talking about birth control and

you suspect or know your child is already having sex, encourage them to talk to their

doctor, a school nurse, or a nurse at the health department. Don’t assume they will

protect themselves from STD’s or pregnancy.

2. Talk to your children early and often about sex. Both mothers and fathers should talk

to both sons and daughters. These should be many talks, not just “the talk” when they

are teens. Be sure these talks are conversations and not just lectures. Many books and

videos are available from the library, school or your pediatrician.

3. Supervise and monitor your children and adolescents. This includes establishing

rules, setting curfews and standards of behavior.

4. Know your children’s friends and their families. Encourage them to become friends

with kids whose families share your values.

5. Discourage early, frequent, and steady dating. It is much healthier for teens to be

involved in group activities. Dating much before age 16 can lead to trouble. This is

a rule that should be discussed early in childhood, so that your child doesn’t think

you’re making the rule to avoid their newest boy or girlfriend.

6. Take a strong stand against your daughter dating a boy significantly older than she is.

Also discourage your son from developing an intense relationship with a girl much

younger than he is. Setting a limit of 2 years or 3 years for older teens can eliminate

the power difference and avoid a risky situation.

7. Help your teens set meaningful goals for the future that are more attractive than early

pregnancy and parenthood. Show them the importance of community service, church

involvement, and extracurricular activities at school. Becoming pregnant or causing a

pregnancy can derail the best of plans.

8. Let your kids know that you value education highly. Set high expectations for school

performance. Limit the time for part time jobs to 20 hours per week maximum. Be

aware that school failure is a serious warning sign for trouble. Talk to teachers and

school counselors and your child’s doctor if your teen’s grades are falling.

9. Know what your kids are watching, reading, and listening to. All of the media are full

of the wrong messages about sex. Sex rarely has meaning, unplanned pregnancy

seldom happens, few people having sex are married or even committed to someone.

Be “media literate.” Watch the TV shows they watch and discuss the morals of the

characters. Ask them to think about the movies they watch and the music they listen

to.

10. These first nine tips for helping your child avoid teen pregnancy work best when

they occur as part of strong, close relationships with your children that are built from

an early age. There is no single way to create such relationships, but the following

ideas may help.

It’s never too late to improve your relationship with your child or teenager. Your child needs your support and guidance.