| Teenage pregnancy is a reality. We are living | | | | to increased fear of unwanted pregnancy, |
| in a world where it is still believed that | | | | sexually transmitted diseases, and especially |
| boys can be sexually aggressive and it is the | | | | AIDS. At the same time, a gender gap exists |
| duty of the girls to resist sexual advances. | | | | between the attitudes of young men and women |
| Teens are exposed to an environment where | | | | about sex: more men than women believe that |
| drugs, violence, sex, money and peer | | | | casual sex is acceptable, and most girls and |
| pressures are an ever-present force that | | | | boys agree that girls have sex because the |
| affects both their behavior and perception of | | | | boys want it. What's perhaps even worse than |
| life. Today's teens are more protected and | | | | the dangerous opportunities teen girls are at |
| sheltered from the consequences of their | | | | risk for is the fact that most of them will |
| behavior than ever before. Abstinence is the | | | | not talk to their parents about these dangers |
| most effective contraceptive. Teenagers | | | | they face. No matter how good your |
| should learn to show affection and love in | | | | communication is with your daughter, there |
| many of the non-sexual expressions and not | | | | are things she will not and cannot tell you, |
| involve in sexual activity. Pressurizing or | | | | things she needs desperately to tell someone. |
| forcing anyone into sexual intercourse is not | | | | The answer to this problem is being your |
| acceptable. It does not show love or respect. | | | | daughter's best friend. Both teens and adults |
| It only shows how selfish, exploitative and | | | | believe good communication between parents |
| disrespectful the person is. Teenagers should | | | | and children can help prevent teen pregnancy. |
| avoid high-risk situations like being alone | | | | Mnay say that having parents who don't give |
| in someone else's house or car. Youngsters | | | | enough love, attention, and supervision or |
| should learn to say, "There is no doubt that | | | | don't teach morals increases the likelihood |
| I love you. But I am not ready for the kind | | | | of teen pregnancy. Both teens and adults |
| of intimacy you are expecting. If you really | | | | believe that the media plays a role in teen |
| love me, respect my feelings." A true friend | | | | pregnancy. For many parents finding out that |
| would definitely respect their feelings. | | | | their son or daughter has been struggling |
| There are some youngsters who feel that they | | | | with teen drug abuse is a catastrophic |
| are entitled to experience everything under | | | | revelation. Thoughts of failure, |
| the sun, irrespective of the high risk | | | | disappointment, guilt, and embarrassment |
| involved. These are individuals who | | | | flood a parents mind. However, you must |
| experiment with drugs, alcohol and tobacco | | | | remember that you are not the only parent to |
| and also with multiple partners. Then there | | | | face such a situation. And more importantly, |
| is another group of young adults who believe | | | | many families have overcome teen drug abuse |
| that everyone else around them are sexually | | | | in the past. If you suspect there is a |
| active but are not becoming pregnant or not | | | | problem, ask your teen about what is |
| suffering from AIDS. "Why should I alone | | | | bothering him or her. And then don't be |
| deprive myself?" But in reality, they are in | | | | afraid to ask for help. Many resources are |
| the midst of friends who are in a fantasy | | | | listed here They can be of great help. |
| world. The attitudes of teens and young | | | | They are user-friendly guide for |
| adults toward premarital and casual sex have | | | | professionals who supervise, manage, teach, |
| become more conservative -- most likely due | | | | or treat teenagers who get into trouble. |