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Teen Pregnancy
7 a day. 49 a week. 2,352 a year. This is the average amount of diapers a baby will likely use. Not only does a baby require an abundant amount of diapers, there is also food, formula, insurance, day care, immunizations, clothes, a healthy living environment, and constant care. Having a baby for anyone can be a life changing experience, having a baby while still in high school can be extremely overwhelming.
Ever since she could remember Shanna always dreamt of becoming a teacher. Her favorite subject was English and someday she knew that's what she wanted to teach others about. With her nose constantly in books, Shanna didn't have much of a social life throughout high school. During her freshman year she met a fellow reading enthusiast, named Jason. Jason and Shanna hit it off right away, they began spending lots of time together. Things started to eventually get serious, and by their junior year Jason started asking Shanna if she wanted to have sex. At first Shanna, said 'no,? but after months of Jason's constant pursuit she gave in. Jason heard from his friend that girls can't get pregnant on their first time, so Shanna and Jason didn't worry when they didn't use protection.
Three weeks later Shanna found herself in a health clinic, when the blood test came back the doctor's look told her immediately that she was pregnant. Shanna's life began to change before her eyes, her dreams of becoming a teacher started to fade.
It was a long 9 months following the clinic visit. They had to tell their parents, teachers and friends. Shanna and Jason decided it would be best to drop out and find a job so they could raise the money they needed to buy all the things that would need for the baby.
Today Shanna and Jason are both 18 and have a two year old child, Kyle. Shanna and Kyle live with her parents, Jason comes to see his son every other weekend. Because of the stress of having a baby, Shanna and Jason broke off their relationship. Although Shanna loves her son very much, some days she can't help but think how different her life would have been if they would have made a smart decision and used protection. Shanna is trying to earn her GED, but finds it difficult to balance work, school along with taking care of a two year old.
With a few modifications, this story has occurred many, many times. Being a teen is a lot of fun, but to keep it that way, you need to be smart about the decisions you are making. Ask yourself this, would I rather be hanging out with my friends tonight watching movies and talking about school, or changing diapers of a screaming one year old, it's your decision.
Teen Pregnancy Facts:
May is National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month.
Each year, almost 750,000 women in the U.S. aged 15-19 become pregnant.
The United States has the highest rates of teen pregnancy and births in the industrialized world.
Nearly half (46%) of all 15-19-year-olds in the United States have had sex at least once.
A sexually active teen who does not use contraceptives has a 90% chance of becoming pregnant within a year.
The condom is the most common contraceptive method used at first intercourse; it was used by 66% of sexually experienced females and 71% of males.
Facts from the Guttmacher Institute.
Ever since she could remember Shanna always dreamt of becoming a teacher. Her favorite subject was English and someday she knew that's what she wanted to teach others about. With her nose constantly in books, Shanna didn't have much of a social life throughout high school. During her freshman year she met a fellow reading enthusiast, named Jason. Jason and Shanna hit it off right away, they began spending lots of time together. Things started to eventually get serious, and by their junior year Jason started asking Shanna if she wanted to have sex. At first Shanna, said 'no,? but after months of Jason's constant pursuit she gave in. Jason heard from his friend that girls can't get pregnant on their first time, so Shanna and Jason didn't worry when they didn't use protection.
Three weeks later Shanna found herself in a health clinic, when the blood test came back the doctor's look told her immediately that she was pregnant. Shanna's life began to change before her eyes, her dreams of becoming a teacher started to fade.
It was a long 9 months following the clinic visit. They had to tell their parents, teachers and friends. Shanna and Jason decided it would be best to drop out and find a job so they could raise the money they needed to buy all the things that would need for the baby.
Today Shanna and Jason are both 18 and have a two year old child, Kyle. Shanna and Kyle live with her parents, Jason comes to see his son every other weekend. Because of the stress of having a baby, Shanna and Jason broke off their relationship. Although Shanna loves her son very much, some days she can't help but think how different her life would have been if they would have made a smart decision and used protection. Shanna is trying to earn her GED, but finds it difficult to balance work, school along with taking care of a two year old.
With a few modifications, this story has occurred many, many times. Being a teen is a lot of fun, but to keep it that way, you need to be smart about the decisions you are making. Ask yourself this, would I rather be hanging out with my friends tonight watching movies and talking about school, or changing diapers of a screaming one year old, it's your decision.
Teen Pregnancy Facts:
May is National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month.
Each year, almost 750,000 women in the U.S. aged 15-19 become pregnant.
The United States has the highest rates of teen pregnancy and births in the industrialized world.
Nearly half (46%) of all 15-19-year-olds in the United States have had sex at least once.
A sexually active teen who does not use contraceptives has a 90% chance of becoming pregnant within a year.
The condom is the most common contraceptive method used at first intercourse; it was used by 66% of sexually experienced females and 71% of males.
Facts from the Guttmacher Institute.
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