Why do you think theres alot of teenage pregnancy in the UK?
 

Discuss...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...ve-408186.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7595871.stm

Because there are lots of teenagers having unprotective sex?

It's just part of the way our society has developed. We have much bigger problems with binge drinking, (with the exception of the USA), obesity etc. than most other countries.

ahhh yes...but why?
lack of education?
or just pure laziness??

Alcohol.

Because they didn't make him wear a condom and weren't on birth control.

Lack of education is often starkly to blame and i've been appalled by some of the questions asked on here. With more education, perhaps young girls (and boys) would become less flippant about contraception. I still don't comprehend the 'career move' point though; our local authority certainly isn't about to jump up and down housing a teenage parent, there's a five year waiting list at least!

In this debate, i do think it's important to recognise that 'teenage pregnancies' encompasses an age range from 13 to 19: a teenage parent may be a minor still in the care of their own parents, or they may be an adult living independently, working, married etc. That's a big spectrum to answer quite simply 'alcohol' etc.

Education. The education we received was far from sufficient.

We had quite good sex education, learning about the importance of safe sex etc. but there were still people getting pregnant.
It was mostly laziness, stupidity on their part and alcohol.

I know one girl who got pregnant at 15, she planned it as she wanted a baby. However she was lucky in that her mum was willing to look after baby whilst she went to school. That said her mum gave birth to her at 16 and grandmother gave birth to the mother at 15, so maybe therewas a genetic propensity in that case, or that the mother could hardly say "don't get pregnant as a teenager, it will ruin your life" when she herself did it.

Another girl also got pregnant at 15 in my school, she didn't know who the father was, all she knew was that his house had a cupboard in it and it was in Eston. That was a case of lots of alcohol involved.

I guess the main problem is some teenagers want the responsibilities of adulthood without giving proper thought to the consequences. I do think it's very much a cultural thing though, for example by the time I was 18 there must have been 7 or 8 girls who had attended school with me who had kids, they were all good friends with each other and lived on the same estate. Contrast that with my close friends, none of whom got pregnant. And it does seem that perhaps certain social groups find it more acceptable than others.

I had my son at 18...frankly it was stupidity that got me pregnant.

I think its a bit of a cop out to blame the parents or education and so on. Yes these factors have a huge impact on a person's choices but I knew about contraception, I knew about what would happen if I wasn't careful, it was just the age old "it won't happen to me" scenario! I was a stupid kid. End of.

I think in our society we have little emphasis on faith and morals and so on. Our lives tend to revolve around acceptance and 'having fun' Kids start drinking, smoking, doing drugs, having sex at a really young age but none of them are mentally capable of understanding these things or having any sort of emotional grasp on the consequences. No one takes responsibility because they just don't understand the importance of it...no matter how much they are told. Teenage pregnancy is just one result of it all. I know this is a massive generalisation but this is what I have gathered from my own experience with my generation.

It's society.
It's a cop-out answer, but it is. We still live in a very prudish society, where we don't talk of sex or contraception or anything. Instead of being proud of the fact that people are having safe sex, they seemed ashamed when they buy condoms, hiding it under something mundane like shampoo or a packet of crisps.

The vast majority of children probably don't talk to their parents about sex, and parents get embarrassed whilst talking to their children. I remember reading an article in some magazine a few years ago, and they were talking about sex education, and attitudes to sex in Sweden - one girl said that as soon as she had her first period, she went straight in, mentioned it to her mum, who went and showed her how to put in a tampon. That was also apparently pretty normal, and not un-representative of her friends and their relationships to sex.

We live in a society where, gosh, we don't talk of sex! It's bad thing, bad thing. Which isn't helping the younger generations (gosh, listen to me sounding like grandad) to learn what sex is, or how to be safe. Also, I think there is a lot of stigma attached to things like condoms - it's not really socially acceptable, for want of a better term, to wear a condom - I suppose what I'm trying to say is that it's seen as an add-on, a hassle, rather than as a necessity if you're having sex. Which really isn't how it should be.

I think education of sex needs to be drastically improved (which is also why I think it's great that children as young as five are getting some basic sex ed), and peoples' attitudes to sex and relationships need to become drastically less prudish - again, which I think introducing sex ed to children at such a young age will help with.
It needs to be socially acceptable to talk about sex, health, relationships, and not some huge stigma, or a way to get 'cool points' with your friends.

I agree.

But then, if you look at Europe, they drink/have sex/do drugs from a similar age. I don't think it's the lack of morals or lack of faith, I think your second point was right - it's to do with responsibility, more than anything else.

what I meant was that no one is concerned with what the 'right' thing to do in any given situation...ie wear a condom, respect their partner enough to talk it through etc. I didn't mean it in a typically religious sense or anything like that.
I completely worded it wrong. The result of my teeange pregnacy had Cbeebies on full volume :crazy: distracted somewhat...

Something in me screams it's not education, but maybe it is proven, I don't know.
What do you mean by education?

Hmm, I'm no good at debating.

In my area it's mostly so they can get a flat..

I think alcohol and condoms for some reason being seen as 'uncool' don't really help either.

I think it's attitudes in this country that are wrong rather than 'formal lessons at school'? Maybe I interpreted this wrong.

Maybe education is the thing we can change.

On the point of education, countries like Holland begin sex education much younger and explore the subject a great deal as they grow up; they're informed and also, open, in ways that alot of people aren't in Britain.

Is it boredem? do younger kids of like 12-15 do it because they're bored?....Is it out of curiosity? What ever is it...its a problem in the UK.

I understand where this opinion comes from but I don't think most teenages intentionally become pregnant - I know some do but the majority are just irresponsible. Besides getting a flat isn't as easy as people think it is. I had to go on the council list and it still took two and a half years for me to get a place

I think that you're right. The attitudes towards sex is flawed, but improved sex education could be a way to change these attitudes...I think that is where the 'education' argument comes in

I wouldn't have thought boredom is really the reason young people start having sex - i think it's more about 'looking cool' to their peers. Sex is seen as taboo which naturally makes people curious and young people often feel that breaking the mould and being rebellious is going to gain them acceptance.
Look at smoking...I know its a different subject entirely but everyone knows the disadvantages to smoking...quite frankly people try it our of curosity and look good infront of their friends.

There is such a stigma attached to being "good" when you're younger, I think that's a massive part of it all.

i think its pretty much a mix of what everyone has said.

boredom = need something to do = drugs & alcohol = kissing = "fondling" = .... = baby/sti

i think its the attitudes of a lot of younger kids too... the "it won't happen to me" attitude, or the "it will sort itself out" attitude. lack of responsibility. embarrassment and awkwardness at asking about contraception. knowledge that there is always an abortion if anything should happen. increase in promiscuous sex - due to media/ alcohol/ weaker morals/ more openminded about sex etc.

also lack of education always seems a bit of a stupid argument to me - previous generations had a poorer education about sex than we did, they certainly didn't get the videos and worksheets etc. they just had a sense of morality and responsibility.

ALSO, has anyone noticed the sort of 'pride' that kids get these days... like about being caught with a weapon/beating kids up/having promiscuous sex/taking drugs/getting in trouble with police or school. kids think its funny. wtf.

i think some are lacking in common sense, morals, responsibility and decency.

lol.
but its not as bad as i've made out ^^

Quote for truth!

It's not just alcohol on the younger end of the spectrum either. I've been utterly wasted and still managed to slur "You've got a condom, right?" I think it is probably just society and education. Sex ed needs to start really early on, not even as sex ed, just relationship education then that will eventually progress to the physical side of things.
I received absolutely no sex education at school. Well no that I wouold class as sex e. I had one period where a woman came in and talked to us briefly about emotions in relationships (This was lost on a bunch of bored 14 year olds) and another period where 2 men came in and just told us about STI's. That's all, nothing else, it's appalling. I think my little sisters is getting more than that, thankfully.

Anyway. I don't know. It's not boredom either, boredom could result in sex but it doesn't have ot be unprotected.

A lot of it is common sense really, and perhaps there is an attitude of "It'll never happen to me" that a lot of people have, y'know?

I should have explained better and that i wasn't being really prejudiced! In my area it really is, i know a lot of people that have done it, the people at the job centre told me (they even basically suggested i get pregnant to make things easier for myself) etc...

^ well thats just plain wrong!!!

I know people who haved 'joked' about getting themselves pregnant when they can't find a place to live/are broke/can't get a job etc etc. I suppose because a teenage parent gets handed a place to live and a means of supporting themselves it seems like the easy option...but it certainly shouldn't be encouraged because it is not easy AT ALL!

don't worry i didn't think you were being predjudiced or anything...I know its a really common view based on what a person has seen for themselves. I guess its just totally different once you;ve actually been in that situation.

More fool them if they think becoming a parent is a free pass to an easy life

Simple answer, lack of condom!

The amount of people I know that use the "pull out method" to avoid using a condom, many a people I know who use that have been or are pregnant.

They don't like using condom's because they take the feel away. Well if teenagers want to feel 10 minutes of sex then go on another contraceptive? It's easy to ask for and free!

I haven't use something before, but only because I was forced to, otherwise I would have and I was lucky that I didn't fall pregnant.

But I'm not a fan of how many teenagers get pregnant.

How can you honestly think teenage pregnancies are as simple as lack of condoms?!

Have you considered that teenage parents can be responsible adults, as well as minors illegally having sex?

People just can't be bothered and think 'it won't happen to me'. It doesn't matter if you're educated or not. You know that if you have sex then there's a chance of getting pregnant. It doesn't take sex education to know that.

I know Sex - condom = possible pregnancy without having sex education.
I went to a catholic school so all I got told was that sex is something that happens in a stable relationship and that's it.

Because that's the reason? That's how many people I know have got pregnant so it must be ONE reason right?

And your telling me that teenage pregnancy can occur for other reasons?

How many adverts are on the TV now about teenagers not using a condom and ending up becoming pregnant or getting an STI?

As if teenagers want to be parents at the age of 16 or 17...

Oh god Nat, you make me laugh with your naivety, you really do.

There is SUCH a big difference between someone planning to have a child at 19, than making a mistake and having a kid at 14. A lot of teenage mums make GREAT parents - there are a few on RYL that are BRILLIANT mums.

Not all teenage pregnancy is a drunken mistake.

^agreed

I know a few teen mums and they are GREAT with their kids. And one girl I know, purposefully got pregnant at the age of 15. She's now pregnant again at 17 and she's happy and a great mum.

The teen mums I know, are a lot more mature than most people their age. Probably having a baby has made them grow up, but that's not nececerily a bad thing.

I'm sure they are and I'm sure the people I know are as well, but I'm just stating my opinion.

Aren't I allowed to do such a thing anymore? ;)

And who the **** mentioned being drunk? =S

That wasn't an opinion, you were stating it as fact.

& all the adverts you were talking about centre around drinking [having sex outside a bar or whatever] which is where i got that from.

I didn't mean it as a statement to be honest, meant it as what I was saying.

So many people have said about condoms on this thread and all of a sudden I get my opinion winged at? =S

Personally, I know a few teenage parents, my cousins 15 and a parent and my other halfs sister is...17 i think and she has a baby and they both planned their babies....Some people just want kids as soon as possible, theres a lot of people who just want someone to love them, so they have children.

To be fair, in this day and age teenage pregnancy is being discussed so much, it's merely impossible to ignore the contraception side of things. Radio advertisements, tv advertisements, posters in schools, doctors surgerys.

I think once upon a time it was definatly down to lack of education. I was told about sex/periods/"where babies come from" at the age of 10. Learnt properly about contraception when i was 14 in my Child Development Class, i remember it because we were all laughing hysterically at the "femidom" and the way the teacher was "squatting" (quite litrali!) in showing how it's "put in"!

It takes one teenage girl to get pregnant, for the rest to become inquisative/broody/curious.
I remember many years ago i watched a program on TV, about several teenagers who were considering getting pregnant on purpose. Obviously despite being spoken to from parents/doctors about contraception, they were still hell bent on wanting "babies".
Under strict supervision they were placed in the care of a family with newborns, and took parental control for a week. Many gave up within 24 hours, crying about how hard it is.

It was really interesting to watch. That's why i've always been really "for" the baby dolls that are available in some schools worldwide, where you take them home/look after them.

Teenagers are curious, it's a fact of life. We've all been there, wanting to experiment with drink/drugs/sex. It's NATURAL to be curious. But i think despite the goverment trying to cut back on teenage pregnancies/binge drinking/drug taking, with all the advertisements they're plastering everywhere it is just having the opposite effect, and making teenagers want to "join in", wanting to experiment.

I think it also comes down to parents to a certain degree. Of course a parent can't keep there child locked up, that would be unnatural and completely unrealistic.
I do however believe if parents are open with there children from a young age, about where "babies" come from, about periods, about love, sexual relationships, marriage, we wouldn't be where we are today.

Many of my friends never learnt much from there parents. I certainly didn't. It took me 4 days to announce to my mother i'd started my period because we really aren't at all open with one another.

If people were more informed from parents, it's very possible they wouldn't want to go and experiment.
I can't remember where i saw it on TV but i remember this mother who had a job going around schools informing teenagers of STI's/STD's, she was showing really..not so nice pictures of what STI's can do to body parts, and so many teenagers shrieked in pure horror.
I think if something like that was done in schools it would definatly make teenagers think twice.

Everything is either "hush hush" (people not being educated properly - everything being kept under wraps) or it's at the other end of the spectrum and it's being spoken about too much, but people not being properly informed when the information is being given, which, as i said above, just leads to more curiosity.

Back to the parent topic, i can't help but feel parents in this day and age really don't spend quality family time with one another. Weekends away, nights out, film nights, trips out in the summer..
But then, that comes down to our goverment and down the fact everything is so expensive these days that parents have no choice but to have fulltime jobs to bring up there children.

"Back in the day" it was somewhat unheard of for a mother to work fulltime, they were a stay at home mother, it came with having children.
Times have sadly changed.

In regards to younger parents being fantastic - i've had many friends over the years online who have been teenage parents.
One of my old friends (whom i'm no longer in contact with) always sticks out in my mind when teenage pregnancy is mentioned. She had her daughter at 15, breastfed for nearly 2 years, had a second daughter at 18, worked hard at finishing school, and is now studying to become a midwife. She is probably the best example of a teenage mother.

On the other hand i've seen older parents who have been..absolutely disgusting and should not be allowed to have had them in the first place.

This is completely all over the place.
But i do believe teenage pregnancy in the UK is down to many many factors, and it's merely impossible to sit and stick to one (i.e. lack of condom, or, drink) - it's always so much deeper than that and much more complex.