Florida Teen Pregnancy Rates 6th in the US....Safe Sex or No Sex is the Only Solution

While adults are promoting abstinence for teens, Florida girls are having sex and Florida girls are getting pregnant. So many, that Florida rates 6^th in the US for teen pregnancy.

Planned Parenthood expert, Dr. Carol Cassell says that it is time to face facts that mostly all teens will have sex, despite vowing to remain virgins until marriage. She says that when these teens decide to have sex before marriage (and most of them will), they do not use contraception. They cross their fingers and pray for the best. Because of their vow of abstinence and sincerely believing that they will never give in to temptation, they are woefully ignorant about birth control and contraception. When teens don't know about contraception and have sex, they get pregnant.

Abstinence groups such as the New Virginity, and other Purity groups want teens to postpone sex until marriage, but they are fighting against biology. Without reproductive knowledge about how their own bodies function, research shows when these teens do have sex, they are the ones most likely to get STDs or get pregnant.

Dr. Cassell, from Planned Parenthood, herself a mother of six, proposes a practical solution similar to what they teach in Europe....Safe Sex or No Sex. Most teens do not have sex to have babies. Almost all teen pregnancies are unplanned and unwanted. It's not a good idea for kids to become parents. Teens need comprehensive education so when they do decide to become sexually active, they will use contraception. They have to know that unwanted pregnancy leads to many difficulties and missed opportunities in their future lives. Groups promoting sexual abstinence are not usually around to provide ongoing support and financial aid when the teen breaks her vow of chastity and has a baby. Many citizens begrudge paying funds to teen mothers' and children's programs. To them, life begins at conception and ends at birth. After birth, both baby and mom are on their own.

Telling teens that they should wait to have sex until they are married does not equip them for real life. They should learn about the decisions, emotions and consequences of sexual activity and most importantly contraception and sexual health. There has to be comprehensive sex education given to all teens by qualified instructors. In Europe the Safe Sex or No Sex Curriculum is taught in the schools. TV ads aimed at teens promote use of contraceptives, when and if a teen becomes sexually active.

Teen pregnancy is a serious health concern. It's time to get real and do something about it.... No Sex or Safe Sex.

Sources:

Personal working experience in Teen Parent Program

St Pete Times... Irene Maher