Woo, S.S. (1998, April 30). Parents key in reducing teen pregnancies, studies say. The Daily Oklahoman, p. 11.

OVERVIEW

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, an organization formed in 1996 to address President Clinton’s 1995 challenge for parents and community leaders to unite and reduce teen pregnancy, conducted several studies on the issue.

Among the organization’s findings:

• More than four out of ten teens in the U.S. become pregnant before age 20—nearly one million a year.
• The teen pregnancy and birth rates in this country are the highest of any Western industrialized nation—nearly twice as great as the next highest nation.
• Almost 75% of teen births in the U.S. are out of wedlock, up from 15% 30 years ago.

The organization offers the following suggestions to parents:

• Parents should be clear about their sexual values and attitudes. Communicating with children about sex, love, and relationships is more successful when parents themselves are more certain about these issues.
• Talk with children early and often about sex, and be specific. One sex conversation is not enough.
• Supervise and monitor teenagers. Establish rules, curfews, and standards of expected behavior.
• Know children’s friends and their families. Friends have great influence on each other.
• Discourage early, frequent, and steady dating.
• Help teenagers explore options for the future that are more attractive than early pregnancy and parenthood. This includes letting children know that education is highly valued.
• Know what kids are watching, reading, and listening to. Many movies and television shows portray sex irresponsibly. Make sure what they read and what they watch corresponds to what you believe they should be watching.

In summary, the group found that "Teenagers want to hear from their parents about sex and relationships. And parents have much more influence on their children’s sexual decisions than they may think." Additionally, "Children in a single-parent family are more likely to initiate sexual activity at an early age. Also influencing teens to be more sexually active are older teen siblings who have gotten pregnant."

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. Are any of the findings surprising to you? Which ones? Why?
2. Do you agree with the campaign’s suggestions to parents? Explain.
3. Are the tips realistic? Why or why not?
4. How does a youth worker fit into sex education and teenage pregnancy prevention?
5. Are the findings and suggestions reasonable to the youth with whom you interact? Explain.

IMPLICATIONS

1. The campaign’s findings seem so logical and apparent. It is amazing that parents are failing at a relatively easy task. And the risks are so high for not assuming the responsibility of communicating standards and information about sex. Unfortunately, many parents practice irresponsible sex, so they may not be the best teachers.
2. Young people want boundaries. They find security and freedom in them. Encourage parents to not be afraid of kids and to not be afraid to impose regulations. In a respectful, loving relationship with authority, young people will likely thrive under such boundaries.
3. Parents need help in learning how to communicate with their children about a host of topics—not just about sex. Support their efforts and encourage them to seek professional guidance and training in effective communication.

Kathryn Q. Powers cCYS