Prevention Options

It’s something every parent is afraid of and something they’ve warned you about ever since you were old enough to have “the talk.” Still, it doesn’t seem like it could happen to you. However, the reality is that teen pregnancy isn’t just another plot arc in a sitcom. With the proper prevention, teen pregnancy can be avoided.

It seems pretty obvious to use contraceptives during sex. Though most do, as many as 12 percent of teens do not. However, there is an array of options to choose from that can help prevent pregnancy. Contraceptives range from condoms to birth control pills and even hormonal injections. Of course, contraceptives are not 100 percent effective, and the only way to absolutely prevent pregnancy is abstinence.

Getting pregnant isn’t the end of the world. That might sound like an understatement, but remember there are options. Most teens don’t have the finances or experience required to raise a child. Many expectant teen mothers look into adoption, or giving up the child to be raised by another family. Many choose adoption to give their child a secure environment that they themselves cannot provide. Another option is abortion. Though this is a controversial procedure, statistics show that one in three women in the U.S. will get an abortion by the time she is 45. Other teenage mothers choose to keep their baby, accepting the risks and responsibilities of parenthood. In the end, this is a personal choice and expectant mothers should choose the best option for their specific situation.

by StaffWriter Catherine Chiang