Teen Pregnancy

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how some people believe that early sex education or programs making birth control devices such as condoms available to school-age children, promotes sexual activity leading to increased teen pregnancy. It contends that this is a highly erroneous and misleading view as a comprehensive sex education program for the youth substantially decreases teen pregnancy. The author argues why he believes so and also discusses how the problem of teenage pregnancy can be tackled more effectively.

From the Paper:

" On the other hand, sexual education programs in the United States are far-less comprehensive and lack focus. Furthermore, according to Planned Parenthood, an unrealistic emphasis is currently placed in the US on "abstinence-only education" which overlooks the fact that sexual expression is an essential component of healthy human development. Such abstinence-only programs, with retrictive requirements such as parental consent for obtaining contraception that deny confidential access to family planning services to prevent pregnancy, tend to hinder a more effective prevention of teenage pregnancy ("Reducing Teenage Pregnancy" 2006). Moreover, an 'abstinence-only' education program is sometimes perceived by teenagers as providing one-sided and medically inaccurate information. (Studies by Kirby, 1997 and Huberman, quoted in "Reducing Teenage Pregnancy" 2006)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• "American Opinion on Teen Pregnancy and Related Issues 2003." (2004). Science Says: A Project of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. Retrieved on May 18, 2007 from http://www.teenpregnancy.org/works/pdf/American_Opinion.pdf
• Kirby, D. (2001). "Emerging answers: research findings on programs to reduce unwanted teenage pregnancy." National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. Retrieved on May 18, 2007 from http://www.teenpregnancy.org/resources/data/pdf/emeranswsum.pdf
• "Reducing Teenage Pregnancy." (2006). Planned Parenthood. Retrieved on May 18, 2007 from http://www.plannedparenthood.org/news-articles-press/politics-policy-issues/teen-pregnancy-sex-education/teenage-pregnancy-6240.htm
• Reiss, Ira L. (1990). An End to the Shame: Shaping Our Next Sexual Revolution. Buffalo, NY: Prometheus Books.
• "Teen Birth Rates: How Does the United States Compare?" (2007). The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. Retrieved on May 18, 2007 from http://www.teenpregnancy.org/resources/reading/pdf/inatl_comparisons2006.pdf

More papers on Teen Pregnancy:

• Analytical Essay # 89861 : "Sawhill and Teen Pregnancy"
• Business Plan # 131850 : "Business Plan: Teen Pregnancy Clinic"
• Article Review # 141829 : "Condom Education and Teen Pregnancy"
• Case Study # 69256 : "Teen Pregnancy and Ethics"

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