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.
Nicole, this is a very interesting article. I have never heard of a program that pays their participants to NOT get pregnant. I think that this program is morally right. Participants are not just getting paid to not get pregnant, they are receiving money to help them get through college. I think that this program is a very good idea. It is hard to educate young women about pregnancy and even harder to get people to willingly sign up for an extra class. With offering money, this motivates people in the beginning and then eventually the money becomes an unimportant factor. I think that these programs should be offered in other places. It has proven great success and it benefits everyone. The only negative aspect I see about this program is that participants may use the money for other reasons other than for college or other education.
ReplyDeleteMary Kate B.
I think this is a great program. I read it as more of a scholarship program with stipulations to stay involved and earn the scholarship just like any other scholarship program. I also think that connecting with peers who come from similar backgrounds and have similar goals for the future is so important for young women. This seems like a good way to ensure that they for those connections. I do not see anything morally wrong with paying girls to not get pregnant. Based on its success, I think it would be good to implement it other places across the country and study the long term effects of it. The one thing that I don't like about this program is that it seemingly puts all the pressure on the women to not get pregnant. As we all know, it takes two people to make a baby. I do think that the female to female connection this program aids in the creation of is vital, however. Maybe a similar program for men could be created.
ReplyDelete-Megan A.
I cannot believe this program is not more widely talked about. I think the girls would be able to realize what such consequences they would face if they were to get pregnant. I agree with Mary Kate though, it would be hard to give them the money and then just "hope" they use it for college. I'm sure they could work out some form of handling that however. I'm glad that they aren't just forcing the abstinence factor on the girls, because they would obviously be around their sister who is sexually active. I think providing girls with a better understanding and the motivation to go to college would be a significantly great idea.
ReplyDelete~Sarah J.
I think that this is a great idea. I see nothing wrong with paying the girls not to get pregnant. They are actually, in my opinion, giving them an incentive to be responsible and it is exposing them to other option and education that they may have never known if it wasn't for this program. Promoting a positive influence for these young girls about sex and gearing them towards college is very smart and I think that it should be more widely talked about.
ReplyDelete- Jalissa B.
ReplyDelete