Am I the only person who thinks that people exaggerate the likeliness of getting pregnant among teens?

Question

I mean you hear all the people saying,
"No don't have sex, the second you do , you can and WILL get pregnant."
Is that really the message you want to send to young people?
They should be sending the message of using proper protection, because when people use two methods of birth control such as the Pill and a condom, it is very safe (again still not perfect.)
Just telling kids to use abstinence won't work cause they're still going to want to have sex.
To me it seems like people are saying "If you're under 18, you'll get pregnant, but if you're over 18, screw away."
I don't know, just my opinion, I think people are teaching kids improperly, ignore me if you want.

Answer 1

A study of 15,000 teenagers surveyed showed that 15%-52% answered incorrectly to 3 questions involving proper condom use.

Those surveyed were 15-21... Imagine how swiftly the percentage of those who answered incorrectly would increase if all the people younger than 15 who are apparently sexually active were surveyed as well.

What does that say about the likelihood of irresponsibility among teenagers having sex? Even if they do use protection, slip-ups can still occur.



Adults have the maturity to realize that sex is not to be taken lightly, but teens often don't. If they have to use scare tactics to keep teens from having sex, that just reflects how completely teens ignore reasonable advice.

Now that I've graduated high school and am preparing to head off to college, I realize that having sex would have been an error on my part; to this day, I am still emotionally unprepared to face that vulnerability with another person.

Additionally, I now realize that even the .000001 percent chance of pregnancy when using multiple forms of protection is far too great of a risk; a baby would have ruined everything I now have the opportunity to do in my life.

When I was younger, I didn't have the perspective I do now, and I sure am glad that my parents scared me into celibacy ("If you get pregnant, I'm forcing you to have an abortion or sending you to live with your Mormon family" - Mom) until I was mature and responsible enough to make my own decisions.

And what do you know - when I was mature enough to decide for myself, I chose celibacy all over again, because I know it's right for me.



Whether people choose other things when they reach that point of real responsibility (as in, "If I get pregnant, I am prepared to drop everything and change my plans to accommodate my child") is beyond my control and beyond all adults' control; however, while a teen is still naive and in that "I know everything there is to know and all these adults are dumb and just trying to ruin my good time" phase, I feel like adults have every right to insist upon abstinence until the teen is truly responsible (and educated) enough to make their own decisions.



I agree that abstinence only education is wrong; while the risk and the possibility of pregnancy should still be emphasized, you'd be amazed how many teens don't know that there needs to be space at the tip of a condom and that birth control pills need to be taken every day at the exact same time (with no other medicines to interfere with their effectiveness, especially antibiotics) in order to be fully effective.

Without the seemingly minor but drastically important aspects of birth control methods being made known to teens, their multiple forms of birth control are essentially as effective as pulling out.



For the record, I don't think promiscuous sex is ok at any age, over 18 or not; for adults to partake in that and then insist upon abstinence is hypocrisy and inherently wrong.

However, I feel as though my parents' insistence that I remain abstinent benefited me in the long run.

Answer 2

The younger you are (from a certain age of course) the more fertility you have, so you are more likely to be pregnant when you're young when not using protection. Personally I think abstinence is a good method until 17 I'd say, because when you're too young it's *most of the time* never a good idea





edit: sure, I think telling how to use proper protection is important too because there will always be some that won't listen, but at the same time adults that do one night stands and such, they are old enough to take care of a child without sacrificing important things

Answer 3

we are trying to tell you to wait because most teenagers do not know how to have sex properly. for example, some teenagers think that once they are on the pill, they no longer have to use condoms. where as an adult who understands sex, knows that the pill does not protect you from stds. teenagers do not know what they are doing and are more at risk of having an unwanted pregnancy or an std. half the people in my graduating class either already had children or were pregnant. age has not too much to do with it, but when you are a teenager, you do not fully understand the consequences of sex. to some teenagers it is just a game.

Answer 4

I agree, I actually had this conversation with my SIL here recently who is considerably younger than me. I simply told her you probably will have sex, even though you don't think you will, but make sure when you do to give me a call and I'll get you on some birth control... you can't stop the sex, but you can offer different kinds of protection, kids will do what they want, but it's up to the parents to teach them responsibility.

Answer 5

They exaggerate it because people don't want their "little babies" to get pregnant and have a baby of their own. Since condoms can break, and pills can be missed and misused it's totally possibly..



Though, yeah, they do overreact. I think we should teach people more about the contraceptives than not having sex, since almost everyone will have sex before they turn 18.

Answer 6

I agree with you. When people say that abstinence is the only way, that isn't going to effect everyone. They will still have sex. So why try to preach about abstinence when no one will listen? I think they should just teach about the Pill and condoms and how to stay protected and maybe they will be protected and not get pregnant! They are all so worried about abstinence they are forgetting to talk about protection. I think that is what causes these pregnancies.

Answer 7

I have twin boys who were born while I was on the pill and using condoms.



The fact is that nothing is 100% and until you are ready to be a parent you should not even be romancing the idea of having sex.



Fertility also peaks when you are younger, so it is actually marginally more likely to get pregnant as a teenager than it is a 30 year old woman.

Answer 8

I agree that the abstinence only is a load of crap. You need to be taught about safe sex and options. Telling you not to do it is not going to work. I know first hand that if you don't have protection you still might do it. I did it myself as a teen. I was lucky, some of my friends were not. My kids have been taught all about safe sex and where to go and what to do if they need help. Some of their friends have not been taught.

Answer 9

well ur right because kids shouldnt have sex until they are responsible and old enough but u dont want to tell ur kids to just be safe when the only sure safe way is abstinence u can still teach them about safe sex but also stress abstinence

Answer 10

Teen pregnancy has a very high chance. I agree though, just because you're over 18 doesn't mean you don't have to be careful. However, if you're 18 or over, it's easier for you to care for a child than if you're, say, 13. (:

Answer 11

I think that teenagers should be taught how to practise safe sex responsibly. There is no point saying no to them as they will go behind their parents back and do the exact opposite.

I learnt from my own mistakes

Answer 12

It is a matter of ignorance vs. common sense. Teens generally fall on the side of ignorance. Preferring not to use common sense.



There a lots of ways, for a girl to avoid getting pregnant and, a guy from getting the girl pregnant.



But they ignore them.

Answer 13

In my opinion, anyone can have sex with whoever they want and have as many kids as they please. My one rule is they need to be the ones to live with the consequences - whether they are 13 or 30. If someone falls pregnant - whether planned or by accident, they should be accountable. By that I mean they shouldn't be relying on taxpayers to pay for the upbringing of their child. I for one don't agree with my taxes going to people who make mistakes and then feel sorry for themselves. May sound harsh but everyone in my belief needs to make their own way in life, not depend on the rest of the country to feed them. People should have some self respect and stop feeling sorry for themselves. So what if you fall pregnant after a one night stand. It doesn't mean you can't study and make something of your life. You need to go out and achieve things because people don't hand you things in life, you've got to go out and do it yourself.

Answer 14

Actually it's not really an exaggeration, the US has one of the highest numbers of teen pregnancies.



Many, many, many girls still become pregnant with protection.

Answer 15

Yes I do think that haha

I mean, adults have sex all the time. Unprotected, one night stands, drunk.

Were just as likely.

Answer 16

your right they should talk more about the positive like safe sex instead of the negative which is your ooing to get pregnant on your first time doing.

Answer 17

I agree, instead of saying "no" tell them how to do it safely.

Because kids disobey parents all the time, if all you say is "No" you're not giving them any sense of protection.



:)

Answer 18

It makes sense what you're saying. I kinda noticed that too.

Answer 19

when youre younger its 'easier' to get pregnant because youre more fertile.



so a teenager is more likely to get pregnant then an adult?

Answer 20

well yeah they do, but that's only because they really really really really really don't want them get pregnant or have sex.

Answer 21

Yes, your the only one

Answer 22

i agree completely.