My cousin and I have developed a theory for slowing down pregnancies in teens.
Most teenagers have casual sex and never stop to think about the consequences. So what if I get pregnant? I can just have it and give it up for adoption, or maybe my parents will help me raise it. Of all of the things that cross through their mind the thought of the pain during the actual process of giving birth doesn't seem to go through their mind.
Okay so here's the plan. Some people know how bad the pain is during labor, others can only imagine. For teens this is no problem "Oh I will just take the Epidurel, and I won't feel a thing". That's where the plan comes in.
If the government makes it illegal for minors, (in this case under 21). During the time when they are in labor, to take the Epidurel shot it might, let me say that again, <b>might</b> get some sense knocked into them by their own fear.
"Oh crap what am I going to do now, if I get pregnat I will die during labor, I should use protection. Complete exageration of course. But anyways what do you think? Do you agree or disagree. Please explain yourself. Thanks </Saving>
Honestly I think sex needs to be an openly discussed topic, and there needs to be much more education, especially at the 6th & 7th grade levels regarding sex, it's consequences, and also a good basic finance class showing the fiscal repercussions of having children. Really in the US sex is a taboo subject. It's not something we talk about openly, and it's not touched upon in depth in our public school system, and even then usually at a sophomore or junior level where the students have been confronted with the hormones of puberty for several years before anyone bothers to educate them about what's going on.
Well they aren't using pain directly. They are just going to say try not to get pregnant before a certain age where you can support yourself, or have to go through the complete pain of having a child. I don't think its immoral.
Really in the US sex is a taboo subject. It's not something we talk about openly,
This only applies for professional news companies. When people are with their friends, or even acquaintances, a lot people discuss their..."experiences".
During the time when they are in labor, to take the Epidurel shot it might, let me say that again, <b>might</b> get some sense knocked into them by their own fear.
That defeats the purpose. Shouldn't you "scare" them out of a pregnancy before they get pregnant? Why during labor?
1. Not everybody thinks about sex the same way and therefore it would be terrible to hold everyone to the same rules about sex. 2. It's not the government's responsibility to fix everything. 3. This would give the government too much power. 4. The government can barely get anything right. These restrictions of our rights would soon spread to other aspects of our lives, making us live in a country we could no longer call free. 5. Most teens who have sex don't get pregnant. This will not change a thing. This would only make teenagers who are pregnant give themselves abortions because they don't want to get in trouble by the government because they had sex at too young an age.
6. Sex is NOT an evil thing. Why are we trying to scare kids away from sex?
7. Believe it or not, the people who do get pregnant DO learn their lesson after they give birth to their child, as well as those around them such as friends and family. They all see what happens and they all understand the risks of having sex.
8. Pregnancies happen when teenagers don't know how to properly use protection. If they think they are doing it right, they will have sex while being almost absolutely certain it "won't happen to them."
9. You are assuming that abstinence is the only right answer. Teens will want to have sex and most teens do not care about abstinence. If two teens don't like remaining abstinent, then they WILL have sex. They already know their parents will probably be against them having sex, along with many other people. They also understand that there is a small chance of having a baby. The law will only be one more obstacle to be brushed aside.
10. Say "the government will control our sex lives," out loud. It doesn't sound very good does it?
8. Pregnancies happen when teenagers don't know how to properly use protection. If they think they are doing it right, they will have sex while being almost absolutely certain it "won't happen to them."
Precisely correct, and exactly why I say that the only way to effectively prevent unwanted pregnancies is early, accurate, and constant education, which sadly we do not have. The taboos regarding sex are so pervasive that sex ed is not a required course in most states, and even then not taught until high school, when teens are ALREADY SEXUALLY ACTIVE.... kind of counter productive if you ask me...
Sure, teenagers think they know things when they don't. I thought I knew things ten years ago and I was far from being the bottom of the barrel when it came to intelligence--I was never an idiot, but I had a mouth on me and I thought I could handle things. I did, however, know not to have sex; if I did, I needed protection; and I knew of the consequences, even though my mother and I never had the talk. I don't think the talk is necessary for everyone--some are simply smart enough to always be aware of the consequences.
Additionally, teens are not the sole issue with pregnancy--we have uneducated people in the 20s and 30s, even up to their 40s. Sex education is not the only issue: it's education in general. Additionally, there are too many with that 'no, not me' idea in their head. Ideas eat away at people and they stay there--some need to put their hand on a hot burner to know not to touch it, even though they know it's a hot burner.
The problem with that is it means teens, for instance, will continue in their path. Perhaps parents assume that schools educate their children completely and thoroughly and there is no reason to actually be a parent about some issues (i.e., sex, drugs, drinking, parties). I think teen pregnancies have a lot to do with the way parents parent--they don't want their children to resent them for restraining their freedoms; they don't think their child will do it, having the 'no way, not MY child' idea; or they pretend like it doesn't exist. It can be any number of things.
Should teens be more responsible? Yes. Is societal pressure to blame? Probably. Should parents pay more attention and be more alert and talk to their children? Abso-frickin-lutely.
This is horriabl! Most teens have unprotected sex because they cant fight the urge to have sex(Hormones which is natural).
What about the teens that do wear protection and do go on the pill, accidents do happen condoms do break/slip and the pill isn't 100% effective so should these teens have to pay the price for trying to have protected sex?
[quote="BenTheBozer"]What about the teens that do wear protection and do go on the pill, accidents do happen condoms do break/slip and the pill isn't 100% effective so should these teens have to pay the price for trying to have protected sex?[/quote] What about it? If a person, of any age, is not prepared to face any possible consequence of sex (STIs, pregnancy, emotional commitment/attachment), then they should not be engaging in it. Am I old enough and mature enough and emotionally ready? Absolutely. Do I want to deal with what could happen? I can, but I do not want to deal with emotional attachments--and not for my sake, for his, especially because I'll be leaving soon, so I am therefore not in a relationship nor interested in having one until I'm more settled.
People need to make their own judgment calls. Sex alone has many facets. It's not just teens, but they are the most at risk. I know someone that got HPV at the age of 17. Do they regret it? Probably. Did they know about it? Certainly.
Teens are the largest risk, but their parents are responsible for them, too. And, as NoNameC68 said, the government is not responsible to fix everything and we do not want them controlling our sex lives. Whatever they put into place, there are ways around it (i.e., abortion), so no law will stop teens. SUbsequently, more laws will likely encourage rebellion and the fight for rights, which was also mentioned. So... stopping teen pregnancy? No, it isn't going to happen. Educate everyone, make parents more responsible, but ultimately people will do what they want to do because they can.
Why do people think sex, pregnancy and the like are such bad things? There is nothing wrong with sex - none of us would be here without it and yet we keep it such a taboo. Perhaps therein lies the answer - remove the taboo surrounding sex and give better, more informed and detailed sex education from a younger age. Many schools around the world hardly touch on the issues of sex and a sizeable number of those that DO inform students only give the basics and teach you how to put a condom on a cucumber. We need to be more open about sex and sexuality as a whole to help the world in the long run.
