Podcast Script

Did you know that 1 in 3 teenage girls in the U.S. will become pregnant at least once before she reaches age 20? Although the teen pregancy rate in the U.S. has gone down from previous years, these statistics show that teen pregnancy is still a problem in America. So, for the first half of the podcast I will discuss the effect that teen pregnancy can have on a girl or boy in their teen years.

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An unplanned preganacy can have dire consequences for a teenage boy and girl. Things such as completing high school, going to college, getting a good paying job and also threats to potenetial future relationships are just some of those consequences. Some believe that only the teenage girls suffers consequences but the facts show that this is not completely true. An unintended pregnancy can cause stress in a teenage boy's life. This can also affect their grades in school as well as put a strain on their relationship with their girlfriend or child's mother and their parents. Teen fathers also do not go as far in school or earn as much money as others within their age group, who are not fathers.

When a teen girl finds out that she is pregnant , she and her parents along with the baby's father and his parents have some hard choices to make. Some families decide to continue the pregnancy and then give the child up for adoption. Although this may be a good choice for the unborn child and it's parents. Some teen parents may feel a sense of loss and always wonder i if they made the right choice. Another choice that they may make is to keep the child and raise it the best way that they can, with the help and support of their families. Many families make this choice and discover that teen parenting can be a huge financial burden on them as well as their families that they were not prepared for.Others choose abortion as their option, which can also have consequences of it's own. Some women report depression as well as an increase in substance abuse after an abortion. Whatever decision that family decides to make, it will be a life changing and difficult one.

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The best way that parents can help their teens and prevent them from having to deal with the consequences of a teen pregnancy is to educate them about the responsibilities and dangers of being sexual active. So for the second half of our discussion today, I would like to talk about ways that teen pregnancy can be prevented.

First if all, parents need to talk to their children about the waiting to have sex until they are married or at least emotionally and financially mature enough to handle the responsibilities of a sexual relationship. Abstinence is the surest and safest way to do this. It's important for parents to talk to children early, before they begin to face pressures from their peers and the media. It is equally important to talk to your children often, aboout sex. One talk will not (emphasis) be enough! Teens need to know how their parents feel about sexuality. This will help them when the pressure is on to make decisions that they know they aren't ready to make.

Teach your children to say "no" the nice N.I.C.E. way!

N. Say no! Don't say "maybe someday" or later , say no decisively.

I. Make an "I" statement, like " I'm not going to have sex until I'm married". If your children is on the fence about waiting, this will not work. Help your children make the decision to wait before they get into a situation where they're being pressured.

C. If the person is still persistent "change" the subject and talk about something else .

E. Make sure that your child has an "exit" plan. Establish a code word that you child can use when calling you in a dangerous or compromising situation so that you know to come and get them immediately.

Set rules for your children.

Set an appropiate age for dating. Research has shown that teens who date someone two years older are involved sexually 26% of the time, if their partner is three years old 33%.

Set boundaries. Let your child know that their dates are welcome in the common areas of your homes such as the living or family room but not in personal spaces such as their bedroom.

Know where and whom your child is with when they leave tyour home. Ask the questions. Where will you be? What will you be doing? Who will you be with? When will you be home? Will adults be there? Let your child know that you don't want them spendinglong periods of time unsupervised. Also assure them that this is not because you don't trust them, but that it is for their safety.

Monitor what your child reads, watches and listens to, as well as what they view online. Computers and televisions should also be in common areas of the home so that parents can carefully monitor what their children watch . Often sexual suggestions are made through these mediums.

Keep the lines of communication open with your children so that if they get into trouble or in an uncomfortable situation, they will feel safe calling you.

No alcohol. No drugs. No tobacco. Share with your children how you feel about these substances and let them know the risks associated with them.

Your teen may not like all of the rules but they will appreciate the boundaries that you set to keep them safe.

And of course, as a parent ypu want to make sure that you educate your children about safe sex and how to protect themselves. This is not a go ahead to have sex but a way of teaching then the proper preventions and information so that they won't be decived into belieing misinformation.