What can be done about the epidemics of STDs and non-marital pregnancy facing our country?

The most effective way to deal with these two issues is to recognize the importance of promoting sexual abstinence, avoidance of multiple partners, and respect for marriage and committed relationships. Teenagers look to adults as role models for expected behavior. If we ourselves don’t believe a teen can commit to postponing sexual activity and being responsible with their sexual health, it will be difficult to promote that in the classroom. The road may not be easy, but a person committed to waiting will be guaranteed to be free of an STD or unplanned pregnancy. Educate your students with medically accurate information, empower them to make the healthiest choices for their life and encourage students to communicate with their parents or guardians about human sexuality.

The good news is that there is evidence that many teens are getting the message. According to Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance data, over half of teens in high school are not having sexual intercourse. From 1991 through 2001 the number of teens not having sexual intercourse increased from 46% to 54%. The number of teens with four or more lifetime partners also decreased significantly from 1991 to 2001. Most teens will postpone sexual activity (become or remain abstinent) with proper instruction and encouragement, especially from parents or guardians.

What is the impact of non-marital teenage pregnancy

Each year over 800,000 teenagers become pregnant. Studies show that 1 in 3 teens is pregnant at least once before the age of 20. Teen pregnancy impacts the mother, father, child, extended family and society. Often times a teen may struggle with gaining support from her parents and outside resources to help her have the baby. Siblings of the teen may also be affected indirectly with the choices she has made. Society is affected if the teen is unable to work and cannot finish school.

Studies show that teen parents are more likely than other teens to:

• drop out of school
• have additional out-of-wedlock children
• change jobs
• be on welfare
• have mental and physical health problems

Children born to teens are at increased risk for:

• low birth weight
• lower cognitive scores
• school failure
• becoming teenage parents
• incarceration
• drug abuse

Why is it important to teach teens abstinence as a viable option?

Teachers have a unique opportunity to share knowledge with the students given to their care. Teens deserve to know the medical facts and emotional impact of being sexually active outside of a committed relationship such as marriage. As a behavioral choice, abstinence eliminates the risk of contracting and spreading an STD, unplanned pregnancy, and the emotional consequences of teen sex. In a culture that is saturated with sex, teens need to be given the option that guarantees a risk free lifestyle in regards to their sexual choices.

What are the top 10 pressures on teenagers to have sex?

1. Pressure from other teens
2. Television
3. Movies
4. Music videos, song lyrics
5. Books & magazines
6. Advertising
7. Sex ed programs at school
8. Family members and other adults
9. Internet
10. An inner desire to be loved.

For more on each of these pressures, please refer to the book Teenagers: Everyone is Not doing it, by Mike Long