Comparing Teenage Pregnancy Rates in the United States and the Netherlands

Looking around at teenagers in malls in all areas of the United States you will inevitably see a sight that may sadden you. You may see a teenager girl with a belly that obviously shows she is pregnant. If you compared the number of pregnant American adolescents to that of the Dutch you would find that the number of pregnant teens in the United States is much higher. "Although they become sexually active at roughly the same age, American teenage girls are nine times more likely to become pregnant thatn their Dutch counterparts" (Skolnick 131). Why is this? Are Americans more permissive of pre-marital, underage sex than the Dutch? Do the Dutch have stricter social rules in regards to what types of protection should be used when having intercourse? While these would be logical conclusions, they are in fact false.

"Public attitudes toward adolescent sexuality in the US have been characterized as 'restrictive' and 'non-accepting', and those in the Netherlands as occupying a midway position between the permissiveness of Scandinavian countries and the restrictiveness of Southern Europe and the U.S." (Skolnick 131). The problem with a completely non-accepting attitude as is the one that exists within the U.S. is it leaves little room for parents and children to talk openly about sexual activity and the consequences that can be a result of it. "Dutch parents believe that sexuality should be talked about and dealt with in a 'normal' way, meaning that it should not be made taboo or the cause of unnecessary difficulty" (Skolnick 134). Parents may joke about their children's sex lives with them or present them with gag gifts such as specialty condoms. This does not mean that Dutch parents are encouraging their adolescents to have sex, but it does mean they except the reality that their teens might indeed be engaging in sexual activity and creating an environment where their children feel comfortable to come and talk to them. Obviously this style of parenting is working because teenage pregnancy amonfg the Dutch is rare.

Another difference between the way the Dutch and Americans view sexual activity is Americans seem to focus more on the physical and sensual components of intercourse and the Dutch focus more on the emotional component. Dutch parents believe it is alright for their teens to have sex as long as they are ready and the person they are having sex with is a person they have an emotional connection to and a bond with. American parents tend to view sex in teens as a result of raging hormones and a desire to feel good. These characteristics are emphasized and have a nearly opposite effect on teens. If it is assumed that something feels so good that it is nearly impossible to resist who would not want to try it? When the emotional side of intercourse is emphasized teens are more likely to wait and to plan ahead, thus taking more precautions.

Works Cited:

Skolnick, Arlene & Skolnick, Jerome (2005). Family in Transition. New York: Pearson Education.