Does anyone else find it alarming?

Question

There are so many questions on here from young girls and women about thinking they are pregnant and they aren't married and they don't know what to do. And there are a lot of them from girls and women who don't know the basics of reproduction, like about ovulation and menstrual cycles and when you can get pregnant. Hence all of the "Could I be pregnant?" questions that are posted. Are people not taught basic reproductive health? And why are so many young people already sexually active? And why are so many people getting on here and saying they use the withdrawal method and think they are pregnant? What is going on? I knew about ovulation and menstrual cycles and that the pull out method is not effective by the time I was 14. And I never would have dreamed of having sex at such a young age. Are we failing the young people somewhere, that they aren't learning these things?

I'm not trying to judge anyone, I'm just trying to get some other opinions on it. Is ignorance about sexual health really so wide-spread as would be indicated by the type of questions that are posted here?

Answer 1

well, for one, sex sells and that message is enforced in everyday life. I find it ridiculous that sex is blastered all over magazines, tv, music, etc. It is in your face. Kids are very used to sexually explicit images at a very young age, that it is only natural they will start getting interested in it younger and younger. With alot of parents both working nowadays, family values are diminishing. Kids are teaching themselves things that parents used to. (thats right, i said it!!!!!) lol!

Answer 2

I think a lot of parents are letting their young/teenage children down. Reproductive health AND sexuality need to be discussed with young people. I don't know if some parents think that these topics are covered in school, or if they think "kids these days know a lot more than we did". Unfortunately, what many kids think they 'know' is wrong. I'm a labour and delivery nurse and I look after too many young mothers. What I have a hard time understanding is that many of these young girls mothers seem thrilled!!! My mother would have killed me and my father would have dug my grave if I came home pregnant at 15.

Perhaps the parents are lacking knowledge, and the ignorance is passed down.

Answer 3

blame communication or just blame technology, becausee not much has changed since 1944. The numbers haven't changed all too drastically.

The only reason its spoken so freely now is because of the technology we have to communicate. The thing is that even with all this new and not so new technology people do not stop for a minute to speak to their children honestly. Kids aren't stupid, they are ignored by everyone to fend for themselves, then meant to feel stupid when they do not know the correct answer.

It's sad to think that cave women knew more about contraception than women growing up over the years.

This is no way shape or form an excuse to be ignorant. It is up to each individual to find the answers for themselves and not wait to be given the information if they want to succeed.

Answer 4

I think that parents wait until it's too late to talk about sexual issues with children. That's why they are learning things from their teen friends who don't necessarily have the best information.

Not sure how you could fit this into a school curriculum without all the religious freaking out about teaching our kids about sex at such a young age.

I do think that our kids need to know about sex before they hit their teens so that they aren't so naive.

I don't know how we can stress to young people how important it is to wait for the right person. I think that young people don't have the self-respect that was taught in the previous generations and that is why they don't value themselves so much.

I, myself didn't know the exact dates as to when you could get pregnant until I started trying after marriage when I was 37. But, then, I wasn't sexually active until I was 30, so I didn't really need to know.

I am the product of a catholic boarding school education.
:)

My mother didn't even talk to me about my period when I started at age 12. She was too embarrassed, so she got my 12-year old friend to talk to me.

Answer 5

I too, find it alarming, but I also think that a lot of factors are coming into play here.

It's pretty well established that the girls who become sexually active early are mostly from families where there's little parental involvement. If there's little parental involvement, there's little education. If a girl's parents are useless in that department, she may feel better off asking questions in an anonymous online forum.

In summary, telling these girls, "go ask your parents" or "go see a doctor" is probably worthless, because they probably don't have access to either.

Answer 6

Makes me wonder if it goes hand-in-hand with all the violence and drug abuse seen in a much younger crowd than it used to be. I think it has some to do with the fact that sex is being blasted at kids from every angle (TV, radio, print). I also think it has ALOT to do with a lack of parental involvement. I CAN say, that as a "young" parent (24), I never had sex ed in school. That being said, there were at least 4 instances of student pregnancies during high school, myself not included- I waited until I got married. I will remain actively involved in my daughter's life, and can only hope that she applies the values that we teach her.

Answer 7

I don't know but it sure does change my perception of how I will raise my own children. Education for one. I think everyone is in such a rush to get older and experience things faster. Even in this day and age I don't think parents are open enough with their children and the kids are learning things else where.

Answer 8

I am concerned too . And I will probably say the same things reasons as the others . It is overwhelming . I feel lack of home values and principles. communication and parents just not caring . parents out doing their own things while the kids are left to fend for them selves. and parents too drunk or stoned to know what is going on.. And as for the older group I feel it is from no lack of communication as a young child also. and some just don't want to know so don't ask til it is too late . Maybe i am wrong but I think I am right on most of it..

Answer 9

I think the answer to your question is mostly political. The religious right has grabbed hold of our country in so many aspects, that 'reproductive education', 'advice for pregnant teens', all of these programs have dried up. Whereas you or I may have had sex education in grade school, that's not happening today, and that's because a lot of the religious right have garnered positions of power on education boards, and school boards. Was it Kansas (or Nebraska) that totally refused to teach evolution in their schools? They became the laughing stock of the world. It's just another indication of how backward these people have taken the country.

Answer 10

I got pregnant at 17 while being on birth control. My MOM was with me when I went to get it. I was no longer living with her but she and I still talked. Parents need to have an open mind with their children. I remember my mom telling me that she had asked her mom what a penis was when she was 12 and got slapped in the mouth. It's no wonder that I'm here right? lol. Yep, my mom and dad were using the withdrawal method when I was concieved.