| Teenage pregnancy is a reality. We are living in a | | | | pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and |
| world where it is still believed that boys can be | | | | especially AIDS. At the same time, a gender gap |
| sexually aggressive and it is the duty of the girls to | | | | exists between the attitudes of young men and |
| resist sexual advances. Teens are exposed to an | | | | women about sex: more men than women believe |
| environment where drugs, violence, sex, money and | | | | that casual sex is acceptable, and most girls and boys |
| peer pressures are an ever-present force that affects | | | | agree that girls have sex because the boys want it. |
| both their behavior and perception of life. Today's | | | | What's perhaps even worse than the dangerous |
| teens are more protected and sheltered from the | | | | opportunities teen girls are at risk for is the fact that |
| consequences of their behavior than ever before. | | | | most of them will not talk to their parents about these |
| Abstinence is the most effective contraceptive. | | | | dangers they face. No matter how good your |
| Teenagers should learn to show affection and love in | | | | communication is with your daughter, there are things |
| many of the non-sexual expressions and not involve in | | | | she will not and cannot tell you, things she needs |
| sexual activity. Pressurizing or forcing anyone into | | | | desperately to tell someone. The answer to this |
| sexual intercourse is not acceptable. It does not show | | | | problem is being your daughter's best friend. Both |
| love or respect. It only shows how selfish, exploitative | | | | teens and adults believe good communication between |
| and disrespectful the person is. Teenagers should | | | | parents and children can help prevent teen pregnancy. |
| avoid high-risk situations like being alone in someone | | | | Mnay say that having parents who don't give enough |
| else's house or car. Youngsters should learn to say, | | | | love, attention, and supervision or don't teach morals |
| "There is no doubt that I love you. But I am not ready | | | | increases the likelihood of teen pregnancy. Both teens |
| for the kind of intimacy you are expecting. If you really | | | | and adults believe that the media plays a role in teen |
| love me, respect my feelings." A true friend would | | | | pregnancy. For many parents finding out that their son |
| definitely respect their feelings. There are some | | | | or daughter has been struggling with teen drug abuse |
| youngsters who feel that they are entitled to | | | | is a catastrophic revelation. Thoughts of failure, |
| experience everything under the sun, irrespective of | | | | disappointment, guilt, and embarrassment flood a |
| the high risk involved. These are individuals who | | | | parents mind. However, you must remember that you |
| experiment with drugs, alcohol and tobacco and also | | | | are not the only parent to face such a situation. And |
| with multiple partners. Then there is another group of | | | | more importantly, many families have overcome teen |
| young adults who believe that everyone else around | | | | drug abuse in the past. If you suspect there is a |
| them are sexually active but are not becoming | | | | problem, ask your teen about what is bothering him or |
| pregnant or not suffering from AIDS. "Why should I | | | | her. And then don't be afraid to ask for help. Many |
| alone deprive myself?" But in reality, they are in the | | | | resources are listed here They can be of great help. |
| midst of friends who are in a fantasy world. The | | | | They are user-friendly guide for professionals who |
| attitudes of teens and young adults toward premarital | | | | supervise, manage, teach, or treat teenagers who get |
| and casual sex have become more conservative -- | | | | into trouble. |
| most likely due to increased fear of unwanted | | | | |