article
After reading the article about a pregnancy boom at Gloucester High, I was shocked. When I first read it I thought of the Lifetime movie, Pregnancy Pact. However, the article is different. Gloucester is a small fishing town in Massachusetts. Because of the economy, fishers are being sent overseas to fish and this is breaking families apart. Young girls at Gloucester High are lonely and want that unconditional love. They feel by getting pregnant will stop their loneliness and only help them emotionally. In fact, the local doctor issued nearly 150 pregnancy tests to teens that go to Gloucester High.
There are many controversial issues that arise with this story. First, the local doctor has decided to prescribe females with contraceptives without parental consent. Secondly, Principal Joseph Sullivan is facing the dilemma of providing contraceptives such as the pill at school. Do you think that the doctor should continue prescribing contraceptives without consent? Should Principal Sullivan provide the pill? Does he have the right? What should the school do to reach out to those girls who are lonely and are contemplating pregnancy?
-Mary Kate Bartlett
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Influenced by MTV?
ABC News-Teen mom
Last Friday, a couple questions were asked if Teen Mom/16 & Pregnant glamorizes teen pregnancy. The article mentions Janelle's group of friends. Is it just simply a coincidence that not one, not two, but THREE of her friends also got pregnant?! One girl claims that it was a "series of bad decisions" but I don't know if I believe that. To see your close friend go through all the struggles of being a teen mom and not even having the father help out in any way, would definitely make me think twice before engaging in unprotected sex. Do you think Janelle's recent fame in Teen Mom has an impact on any or all three of these girls becoming pregnant? Why do you think our culture seems to be so obsessed with teens getting pregnant? Like Dr. Levkoff states we have so many shows that just revolve around teen pregnancy that it feels like it's becoming so typical instead of standing out.
When she mentions the teen fathers getting a bad reputation and that they should be more upset because they are portrayed in such a negative light, do you think this is true? I am an avid watcher of 16 & Pregnant and Teen Mom 1 &2, and it doesn't seem to differ in many of the episodes. The parents fight an extreme amount or the father is not in the picture at all. I understand that MTV cuts and pastes the "real" story into the image they want, but I don't feel like they would make ALL the fathers seem like they aren't around. It seems to be what really goes on....or does it? As I was looking for some proof of teen fathers involvement, I came across this article. Teen Fathers Why do you think MTV doesn't mention that there are some teen fathers willing to step up and help?
~Sarah J.
Last Friday, a couple questions were asked if Teen Mom/16 & Pregnant glamorizes teen pregnancy. The article mentions Janelle's group of friends. Is it just simply a coincidence that not one, not two, but THREE of her friends also got pregnant?! One girl claims that it was a "series of bad decisions" but I don't know if I believe that. To see your close friend go through all the struggles of being a teen mom and not even having the father help out in any way, would definitely make me think twice before engaging in unprotected sex. Do you think Janelle's recent fame in Teen Mom has an impact on any or all three of these girls becoming pregnant? Why do you think our culture seems to be so obsessed with teens getting pregnant? Like Dr. Levkoff states we have so many shows that just revolve around teen pregnancy that it feels like it's becoming so typical instead of standing out.
When she mentions the teen fathers getting a bad reputation and that they should be more upset because they are portrayed in such a negative light, do you think this is true? I am an avid watcher of 16 & Pregnant and Teen Mom 1 &2, and it doesn't seem to differ in many of the episodes. The parents fight an extreme amount or the father is not in the picture at all. I understand that MTV cuts and pastes the "real" story into the image they want, but I don't feel like they would make ALL the fathers seem like they aren't around. It seems to be what really goes on....or does it? As I was looking for some proof of teen fathers involvement, I came across this article. Teen Fathers Why do you think MTV doesn't mention that there are some teen fathers willing to step up and help?
~Sarah J.
Monday, February 7, 2011
College Bound Sisters
Paid to NOT get pregnant
Last week in lab we discussed effective/ineffective programs in schools that aim to prevent teen pregnancy. Researchers have found that abstinence programs currently used in the majority of schools are not effective in preventing teen pregnancy. However, there is not a proven solution to educate and prevent unplanned pregnancies. At what age do we introduce ways to prevent pregnancy, should condoms be available in high school, who should be responsible for teaching youth about contraceptives and sexual health, etc.? These were questions we asked. I found this article while searching for a topic to blog about. This program is for girls 12-16 who have older sisters that are teen moms. These girls earn money for college and further their education while consciously making a decision not to get pregnant. This is not a abstinence only program, girls do not have to sustain from sex to be able to participate. The girls also have to attend a weekly meeting as well that covers different topics to help them in the future. And they develop a strong circle of friends with the same goals as themselves, something all young girls need. This program has been around for over 10+ years and seems effective. Why haven't people heard of this?
Morally, do you think it is alright to pay young females to not get pregnant? Seeing that it has such a significant success rate do you think more programs like this should be developed? What are the criticisms or negatives of a program like this?
-Nicole A.
Last week in lab we discussed effective/ineffective programs in schools that aim to prevent teen pregnancy. Researchers have found that abstinence programs currently used in the majority of schools are not effective in preventing teen pregnancy. However, there is not a proven solution to educate and prevent unplanned pregnancies. At what age do we introduce ways to prevent pregnancy, should condoms be available in high school, who should be responsible for teaching youth about contraceptives and sexual health, etc.? These were questions we asked. I found this article while searching for a topic to blog about. This program is for girls 12-16 who have older sisters that are teen moms. These girls earn money for college and further their education while consciously making a decision not to get pregnant. This is not a abstinence only program, girls do not have to sustain from sex to be able to participate. The girls also have to attend a weekly meeting as well that covers different topics to help them in the future. And they develop a strong circle of friends with the same goals as themselves, something all young girls need. This program has been around for over 10+ years and seems effective. Why haven't people heard of this?
Morally, do you think it is alright to pay young females to not get pregnant? Seeing that it has such a significant success rate do you think more programs like this should be developed? What are the criticisms or negatives of a program like this?
-Nicole A.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Teen Pregnancy: A Social Problem?
Make-up Assignment for 2/4
I would for sure consider teen pregnancy a social problem. There is an African proverb that says "It takes a village to raise a child." I believe this to be true and relevant to America in 2011 as well. When the pregnant woman is married and of a socially acceptable age, the "village" is more than happy to help and aid in raising the child. However, when the pregnant woman is a teenager, it seems the "village" only wants to turn their back. When the pregnant teen is on welfare it is a common claim that they are just abusing the system and should get a job to support themselves and their child. Often times the child's father is no where to be found, and as we have seen in watching 16 & Pregnant, parents aren't always happy to help with the child. How is the new mother expected to get job to support herself without the help of anyone to watch the child? All the money she earns would go to daycare for someone to watch the child while she is at work, then she still doesn't have money left to pay for essentials such as food. Taking it to another level, the new mom probably doesn't have education past high school, if even that, which makes it even harder to get a job. There are how many college graduates are back at home because of the economy and lack of jobs, yet new teen moms are expected to be able to get a job and earn enough money to pay for everything?
On a local level, I have seen personally the lack of social supports for teen moms. I interned and now work at a transitional living program for youth age 16-21. Because of our funding sources we cannot accept pregnant or parenting youth. In my first month there, the three females residing at the facility had to find other arrangements because they were pregnant. They literally had no where to go. This was especially heartbreaking for me because I knew each of the girls and knew they had every possibility to be successful even with the obstacles they faced with pregnancy if only they had some support. This isn't to say that they won't still be the successful women I know each of the can be, but they will have more obstacles to overcome because of the lack of support surrounding them. During my internship, there was not one week that I didn't answer at least one phone call from a pregnant teen looking for a place to go because she had been kicked out of her house. There are no social supports in Mid-Missouri for pregnant teens at all, and a huge need for them. Teen pregnancy will continue to be a social problem until society as a whole accepts it and the entire village can proudly play a role in raising the child.
-Megan A.
I would for sure consider teen pregnancy a social problem. There is an African proverb that says "It takes a village to raise a child." I believe this to be true and relevant to America in 2011 as well. When the pregnant woman is married and of a socially acceptable age, the "village" is more than happy to help and aid in raising the child. However, when the pregnant woman is a teenager, it seems the "village" only wants to turn their back. When the pregnant teen is on welfare it is a common claim that they are just abusing the system and should get a job to support themselves and their child. Often times the child's father is no where to be found, and as we have seen in watching 16 & Pregnant, parents aren't always happy to help with the child. How is the new mother expected to get job to support herself without the help of anyone to watch the child? All the money she earns would go to daycare for someone to watch the child while she is at work, then she still doesn't have money left to pay for essentials such as food. Taking it to another level, the new mom probably doesn't have education past high school, if even that, which makes it even harder to get a job. There are how many college graduates are back at home because of the economy and lack of jobs, yet new teen moms are expected to be able to get a job and earn enough money to pay for everything?
On a local level, I have seen personally the lack of social supports for teen moms. I interned and now work at a transitional living program for youth age 16-21. Because of our funding sources we cannot accept pregnant or parenting youth. In my first month there, the three females residing at the facility had to find other arrangements because they were pregnant. They literally had no where to go. This was especially heartbreaking for me because I knew each of the girls and knew they had every possibility to be successful even with the obstacles they faced with pregnancy if only they had some support. This isn't to say that they won't still be the successful women I know each of the can be, but they will have more obstacles to overcome because of the lack of support surrounding them. During my internship, there was not one week that I didn't answer at least one phone call from a pregnant teen looking for a place to go because she had been kicked out of her house. There are no social supports in Mid-Missouri for pregnant teens at all, and a huge need for them. Teen pregnancy will continue to be a social problem until society as a whole accepts it and the entire village can proudly play a role in raising the child.
-Megan A.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Who is Responsible?
Skip ahead to 1:30.
I've watched this movie a few times and always found it hilarious... Until last night. My roommates were watching it and I was in the other room. I overheard this part and barged into the TV room outraged by the lack of knowledge of the male character. "I thought you had a dental dam!" Whaaat? While safe for STD prevention in oral sex, I highly doubt a dental dam would do anything to prevent pregnancy.
Misinformation aside, however, this clip really got me thinking about who's responsibility is it to ensure that sexual encounters are safe and that the proper contraception is used? How often do males not use condoms with the assumption that women are on birth control or have otherwise protected themselves again pregnancy? In my mind, it should be a shared responsibility. If a woman is going to be sexually active and wants to prevent pregnancy, she should be responsible for her end of that. However, I think males should also be responsible for upholding their end of preventing pregnancy by also using protection or making sure the woman is protecting herself.
In the fact sheet about Kailyn's episode, it says, "It takes two people to get pregnant, but only one to prevent it. Be that one!" That is a true fact, but preventing pregnancy should still be the work of two individuals. If an individual isn't comfortable enough with their partner to ask about what they are doing to protect against pregnancy, how can they have enough blind trust that the person is doing anything at all? What are your thoughts on this issue?
-Megan A.
I've watched this movie a few times and always found it hilarious... Until last night. My roommates were watching it and I was in the other room. I overheard this part and barged into the TV room outraged by the lack of knowledge of the male character. "I thought you had a dental dam!" Whaaat? While safe for STD prevention in oral sex, I highly doubt a dental dam would do anything to prevent pregnancy.
Misinformation aside, however, this clip really got me thinking about who's responsibility is it to ensure that sexual encounters are safe and that the proper contraception is used? How often do males not use condoms with the assumption that women are on birth control or have otherwise protected themselves again pregnancy? In my mind, it should be a shared responsibility. If a woman is going to be sexually active and wants to prevent pregnancy, she should be responsible for her end of that. However, I think males should also be responsible for upholding their end of preventing pregnancy by also using protection or making sure the woman is protecting herself.
In the fact sheet about Kailyn's episode, it says, "It takes two people to get pregnant, but only one to prevent it. Be that one!" That is a true fact, but preventing pregnancy should still be the work of two individuals. If an individual isn't comfortable enough with their partner to ask about what they are doing to protect against pregnancy, how can they have enough blind trust that the person is doing anything at all? What are your thoughts on this issue?
-Megan A.
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