Yes, apparently it seems the growing increasingly popular thing to get pregnant while you are still a teenager - not even finished growing up yourself. Here is an interesting article I found this week.
"Social stigmas surrounding teenage pregnancy may be slowly disappearing. The change is slowly developing as the number of young moms is on the rise.
Movies like Juno and real life story of Jamie Lynn Spears' unplanned pregnancy are making early motherhood more acceptable. Cathy Gulli, an associate editor with Maclean's magazine, explained the trend.
"Hollywood moms are the 'it' thing right now," said Gulli.
In the latest edition, Gulli wrote the teen birth rate in the US is up for the first time since 1991 and is also likely rising here. The bigger numbers mean changing social stigmas.
"Teen pregnancy isn't demonized or the cause of shame that it once was," she said, adding that it simply isn't as taboo as it used to be."
Source: http://www.680news.com/news/local/article.jsp?content=20080117_081101_7336
See the Health Directory under my favourite links for more teen pregnancy news.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Teach your child values early
Here is some tips I found while surfing the net about educating your kids early regarding sex. I thought they really made sense.
Source: http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080106/NEWS/801060312
Start early. Once kids hit the teen years, their friends and the media can take over as their source of information. Talking to kids early, before outside influences take over can help to keep the trust and communication lines open. Go to your kids to talk about sex; don't wait for them to come to you. Hearing sensitive topics from a reliable source is better than hearing it on the streets or TV. Values need to be included in the conversation, and that may not be the case if it is from an outside source. Make sure that your kids know that you believe in an open environment. Make sure that they know that they can come to you with any questions or concerns that might arise in their lives and that you have unconditional love for them. Teach your children what you value and what your morals are.
Source: http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080106/NEWS/801060312
Start early. Once kids hit the teen years, their friends and the media can take over as their source of information. Talking to kids early, before outside influences take over can help to keep the trust and communication lines open. Go to your kids to talk about sex; don't wait for them to come to you. Hearing sensitive topics from a reliable source is better than hearing it on the streets or TV. Values need to be included in the conversation, and that may not be the case if it is from an outside source. Make sure that your kids know that you believe in an open environment. Make sure that they know that they can come to you with any questions or concerns that might arise in their lives and that you have unconditional love for them. Teach your children what you value and what your morals are.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Birds and the bees
The teen pregnancy rate is up 3% and people are saying it comes down to education. What do you think? Let me know in the comments section.
Here is an interesting article relating to this question. Check it out or check out the 'Health Directory' under 'My Favourite Links' for similar articles.
http://www.irontontribune.com/articles/2007/12/17/news/news029.txt
"While national experts debate school sex education programs and their effectiveness in preventing teen pregnancy, local school officials are more likely to point to the media and a young person's home life as having an equal or greater influence on what kids are doing these days and whether or not they become teen parents.Last week, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new statistics that showed the nation's teen birth rate rose 3 percent from 2005-2006 ; the first time that figure has risen in nearly 15 years. Representatives of some national organizations were quick to blame federally-funded abstinence-only sex education programs that are taught in many schools. The Planned Parenthood Federation of America touted their research that showed abstinence-only programs don't work.But other national groups, such as the Family Research Council, said contraceptive-focused sex ed is still common and that is why the teen birth rate jumped last year."
Here is an interesting article relating to this question. Check it out or check out the 'Health Directory' under 'My Favourite Links' for similar articles.
http://www.irontontribune.com/articles/2007/12/17/news/news029.txt
"While national experts debate school sex education programs and their effectiveness in preventing teen pregnancy, local school officials are more likely to point to the media and a young person's home life as having an equal or greater influence on what kids are doing these days and whether or not they become teen parents.Last week, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new statistics that showed the nation's teen birth rate rose 3 percent from 2005-2006 ; the first time that figure has risen in nearly 15 years. Representatives of some national organizations were quick to blame federally-funded abstinence-only sex education programs that are taught in many schools. The Planned Parenthood Federation of America touted their research that showed abstinence-only programs don't work.But other national groups, such as the Family Research Council, said contraceptive-focused sex ed is still common and that is why the teen birth rate jumped last year."
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Its not the end, just the beginning!
Are you pregnant or have a friend who is? Don't worry, it's not the end of the world. I read an article this week from 'The Daily News' and they had interviewed a guy named Gary Farmer. Gary has been working with some youths at the Halifax Youth Attendance Centre and this is what he says to young ones in a fix: "You haven't been on this Earth very long... you still have a chance to turn things around".
How true that is. You are young, and this is not the end of it all. Pregnancy as a teen is probably something that you didn't plan, but it is certainly not the end of your life, it is just an added surprise. Children will bring you joy like you wouldn't believe, trust me, I've got 3!
You may need some guidance along the way, talk to some counsellors in your area or a mature trusted friend, but you, and your baby, are going to be OK.
How true that is. You are young, and this is not the end of it all. Pregnancy as a teen is probably something that you didn't plan, but it is certainly not the end of your life, it is just an added surprise. Children will bring you joy like you wouldn't believe, trust me, I've got 3!
You may need some guidance along the way, talk to some counsellors in your area or a mature trusted friend, but you, and your baby, are going to be OK.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Plans being made for second annual teen summit in county
I was very glad to read this article this week regarding the the Teen Summit in Washington County - particularly to see that the ideas on topics to be covered came from actual high school students. This, I feel, is the way to target the teen issues - ask them what the issues are!
Source:http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/59786/
Plans are being made for the second annual Washington County Teen Summit, set for March 11.
The planning committee for the summit met earlier this week at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale to discuss the event, which is organized by the Washington County Juvenile Concerns Advisory Board.
Among the topics discussed at the planning meeting were how the summit would be organized this year, and students from area junior high and high schools brainstormed on topics to be covered.
The format of how the topics will be presented was also addressed. One idea was having a skit that would get the attention of those who attend the summit as the day begins.
"We want to do it in a way that sparks some thought," said Ron Harris, chairman of the juvenile concerns advisory board
Source:http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/59786/
Plans are being made for the second annual Washington County Teen Summit, set for March 11.
The planning committee for the summit met earlier this week at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale to discuss the event, which is organized by the Washington County Juvenile Concerns Advisory Board.
Among the topics discussed at the planning meeting were how the summit would be organized this year, and students from area junior high and high schools brainstormed on topics to be covered.
The format of how the topics will be presented was also addressed. One idea was having a skit that would get the attention of those who attend the summit as the day begins.
"We want to do it in a way that sparks some thought," said Ron Harris, chairman of the juvenile concerns advisory board
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
$2M grant targets teen pregnancy
I know everybody has different opinions, and you are welcome to yours, but MY opinion is that abstinence is the way to go. Wait until you are old enough to get married, then get married before you start having sex - the children that result are then purely a blessing, not a problem. Here is a great article relating to that:
Article source: http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/654820,5_1_WA17_TEENSEX_S1.article
"A teen abstinence program, funded through a $2 million federal grant, aims to reduce births to teens under the age of 18 in North Chicago.
The Lake County Health Department's Family Life Education program received a $2 million, five-year grant from the Department of Health and Human Services. The grant will be used to fund the Families in Our Community United for Success (FOCUS) program, which will provide abstinence services targeting North Chicago youth and their parents."
Article source: http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/654820,5_1_WA17_TEENSEX_S1.article
"A teen abstinence program, funded through a $2 million federal grant, aims to reduce births to teens under the age of 18 in North Chicago.
The Lake County Health Department's Family Life Education program received a $2 million, five-year grant from the Department of Health and Human Services. The grant will be used to fund the Families in Our Community United for Success (FOCUS) program, which will provide abstinence services targeting North Chicago youth and their parents."
Friday, November 16, 2007
Fears regarding teen pregnancy rate in Inverclyde
Seems to me there should be fears regarding teen pregnancy rate right around the world. Issues such as self esteem need to be dealt with. I'm all for having kids, but I think it should be a choice, and if you're still a kid yourself - you definitely need to get educated about making that choice.
Here's an interesting article relating to the rate in Inverclyde:
Article source: http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/article.php?sec=1&id=16676"
Fears over teen pregnancy rate
"THE rate of teenage pregnancy in Inverclyde is higher than the Scottish average.
Latest figures covering the period to 2005 reveal an overall drop in the rate of teenage pregnancies in the area, from 66.6 per 1,000 15 to 19-year-olds in 1994, to 58.5 per 1,000 in 2005. But the figure is still above the Scottish average of 56.7 per 1,000.
The lowest number of teenage pregnancies occurred in Inverclyde in 2003, when 52.3 out of every 1,000 15 to 19-year-olds were pregnant, less than the Scottish average of 54.4.
Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil described the figures as "disappointing".
He told the Tele: "In Scotland there is an increase overall, and a slight dip in Inverclyde. We must redouble our efforts to give teenagers a greater expection in life and tackle the issue of low self-esteem arising from that."
Here's an interesting article relating to the rate in Inverclyde:
Article source: http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/article.php?sec=1&id=16676"
Fears over teen pregnancy rate
"THE rate of teenage pregnancy in Inverclyde is higher than the Scottish average.
Latest figures covering the period to 2005 reveal an overall drop in the rate of teenage pregnancies in the area, from 66.6 per 1,000 15 to 19-year-olds in 1994, to 58.5 per 1,000 in 2005. But the figure is still above the Scottish average of 56.7 per 1,000.
The lowest number of teenage pregnancies occurred in Inverclyde in 2003, when 52.3 out of every 1,000 15 to 19-year-olds were pregnant, less than the Scottish average of 54.4.
Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil described the figures as "disappointing".
He told the Tele: "In Scotland there is an increase overall, and a slight dip in Inverclyde. We must redouble our efforts to give teenagers a greater expection in life and tackle the issue of low self-esteem arising from that."
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