How to stop teen pregnancy?

[Missy900]

Hi,

I was just wondering if anybody here would be interested in having a discussion on how to prevent teenage pregnancy in the UK? I had a few friends when I was younger that had babies when they were teenagers but so far it seems to be a problem that society hasn’t yet found a solution to. As Britain has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Europe and the second highest in the world, what is going wrong in society that is causing young people to have children at such a young age? What do you think that society should do to try to prevent such high rates of pregnancy amongst teenagers? Any answers will be gladly appreciated!

Lucy

[The-Prophet]

free condoms

[Missy900]

Well technically teenagers can get free condoms from family planning clinics, so do you think it would help if teenagers were more aware of this?

Lucy

[The-Prophet]

nah just that they were actually aviable, seriously there is almost ZERO chance of anyone i know going to a family planning clinic

[Missy900]

What do you think stops the people you know from going to a family planning clinic?

[mattie]

i think embarasment or the chance of being seen is a large factor. i dont know where everyone here is from,but in england,in secondary schools (ages 11-16) kids are only told the basics about sex and advice on contraceptives is not given.however,most colleges (ages 16-18) have their own family planning centres,and give away free condoms no questions asked,there is much less embarasment. i think rather than condeming kids for teen pregnancy,we should place more blame on the parents and teachers for not providing the required information to these kids,and making sex a "taboo".

[Missy900]

Hi, thanks for your reply. Do you think it would help if parents were encouraged to talk to their children more about sex and contraception? What sort of message do you think parents should be giving their teenagers?

[mattie]

first of all,i think its very important that parents talking to their kids starts long before teenage years! in my opinion,children finding out about reproduction as early as possible is the best solution! i think its very difficult for parents of teens to suddenly come out and start talking about sex. if i however,were in this position,i would not say anything that would embaras my child.but something like "if you ever need anything,ask me" or you could for example,buy a box of contraceptives and leave them in a communal place such as the bathroom,or leave leaflets about the pill and such laying around. kids these days discuss everythung amongst eachother and hate talking to their parents,but by making sure they have factual information to discuss amongst themselves,you are ensuring they kow the facts.

[Missy900]

Well I've been reading into this subject and the issue that seems to be surfacing is that the government has tried to take over the role of parenting children and parents have taken a backseat as far as sex education is concerned. I mean what you've said in your post makes a lot of sense but do you think it's possible that a lot of parents aren't teaching their children about sex? Or maybe they're teaching the wrong things or not being as comprehensive as they should be? Do you think that the government should hand back the responsibility to parents?

[mattie]

as i say,i think that its very important for parents to teach their children about sex,but it is imperative that its from a young age,im talking about 10 or 11 here! suddenly bringing up the subject of sex when youre kids are teenagers is totaly pointless,all it will do is cause embarrassment! i think its very important that the government is involved in sex enducation,and that they provide free contraception and confidentiality. it is afterall down to the parents,but when its started at a young age,taboos and embarrassment is gone.i know i may not seem to have the best opinions,but im only 20 and it was when i was 17 that my mum decided to tell me about the birds and the bees! i could harldy contain my laughter when she whispered the words "condoms" and "sex"-i had been on the pill since i was 15 and bought my own condoms from the age of 14!

[xXx.Lesley.xXx]

Schools should offer free condoms as well as family planning clinics.

I think drink and drugs have a lot to do with teenage pregnancy.

[The-Prophet]

drugs more than drink, i'd be more likely to go and buy my own than get free ones from a clinic, i don't know why really its just the fact that you have to go there and actually get them.

[Missy900]

So do you think some kind of national campaign would be needed to warn teenagers about the dangers/consequences of drink and drugs and pregnancy?

[The-Prophet]

nah people know the bigger impact would come from you actually not being able to buy drugs from people at school, i think that would have an impact.

[Missy900]

Do you think there's any message that could be sent out to teenagers that would at least make them think twice before having sex?