Teen Pregnancy in Hawaii
by Jessica Tuquero, Washington Middle School
Today I would like to share some information about teen pregnancy. I found, through the National Education Association’s research, that Hawaii has the 12th highest teen pregnancy rate in the nation. More and more of our teenagers are getting into this difficult situation and something needs to be done. I cannot imagine not being able to finish high school or not having enough money for college because I used it all on my baby. I’m not saying that teenagers absolutely cannot reach their goals with a baby, but it will definitely be challenging.
Not only are teenage girls affected by a pregnancy, but their families and their boyfriends as well. Families are affected financially when it comes to their daughter or son’s baby – they are obligated to help by law. So do you really want to risk your happiness in life as well as your families’? Probably not, so think twice before getting sexually active.
The best solution for teenagers is to be abstinent – it doesn’t hurt to wait. Abstinence does not only prevent teen pregnancy; it helps avoid sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS, etc; helps you focus on more important people and things in your life; and if you are religious, it honors your religious beliefs. There may be other personal reasons why you choose to stay abstinent but you get all the benefits of waiting.
Unfortunately, not all teenagers will choose to wait. If this is the case parents, there are many clinics you can take your daughter or son to so they can get birth control or condoms. There are many different types of birth control. There are barrier methods such as a male or female condom, a diaphragm, or a cervical cap. There are also hormonal methods which include birth control pills, the Depo-Provera shot, Lunelle, Nuvaring/vaginal ring, Ortha Evra patch/birth control patch, or an intrauterine device (IUD).
Now back to you teenagers, there are so many ways you and your partner can make love without actually “doing it.” Here are some suggestions:
1.) Give or get a hug
2.) Kiss
3.) Hold hands
4.) Give each other neck rubs
5.) Talk openly about your feelings, etc. Don’t risk a successful life just for some “action”, there are so many ways you can make each other feel good inside.
In conclusion, I think it’s important that everybody takes responsibility for this issue and if you want more information you can contact TeenLine Hawaii at 521-TEEN or visit their website at www.teenlinehawaii.org.
Here are some links I found that deals with information you may ask in the future:
1. http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control-4211.htm
2. http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/abortion-4260.htm
3. http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/body-image-23374.htm
4. http://www.teenwire.com/ask/2001/as-20010402p196.php
5. http://singlefamilyvoices.com/
6. http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/insite?page=ask-01-01-04
7.
http://www.pregnancy-period.com/teen-pregnancy.html
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