Loading...
The Times Advocate, 2004-12-01, Page 1212 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, December 1, 2004 Class looks at teen pregnancies (The following article comes from South Huron District High School's Grade 11/12 Communications class. The story is part of an ongoing series.) EXETER — This article is about why teenagers have sex and reasons why teenage girls should not get pregnant. Also there are tips for parents to help there children avoid teen pregnancy. Reasons teens give for having sex: • Peer/social pressure; • It feels good; • Pressure from partner; • No longer a virgin, so what's it mat- ter? • Lack of understand- ing about real love; • Rebellion; • Curiosity; • An expression of love and a response to the need to be loved. Teen pregnancy is an important issue and there are several reasons why teenage girls should not get pregnant: • Teen mothers are usu- ally not able to complete high school and teens who start a family before age 18 rarely get their high school diploma and are likely to be single parents. • Adolescents who have babies will have to deal with serious health risks. Medical problems that teen mothers could expe- rience include poor weight gain, pregnancy -induced hypertension, anemia, sexually transmitted dis- eases (STDs), and cephalopelvic dispropor- tion. Later on in life they tend to be at greater risks for obesity and hypertension than women who did not get pregnant when they were teenagers. • Teenage pregnancy is closely linked to single parenthood and poverty. • The growth in single - parent families is the most important reason for increased poverty. Out -of - wedlock childbearing is the reason for the growth in the number of single parents. Half of the first out -of -wedlock births are to teens. Therefore reduc- ing teenage pregnancy and child-bearing will reduce teenage poverty in the future. Babies born to teen mothers are also at risks of having problems: • Children born to teen mothers can suffer from higher rates of low birth weight and other related health problems. Low birth weight causes infant death, blindness, deaf- ness, chronic respiratory problems, mental retarda- tion, mental illness, and cerebral palsy. Also low birth weight can double the chances of having problems in the future such as being diagnosed with dyslexia, hyperactivi- ty, or another disability. • Children born to teen mothers will likely have poor parenting because their mothers and fathers are too young to have the job of being a parent, and they are still growing and developing themselves. Children with teen moth- ers are often victims of abuse and neglect. Rates are higher for children being in foster care when their mothers are under eighteen. The children will usually suffer from poor school performance. They are more likely to repeat a grade, not do a good job on tests, and are not likely to complete high school. Teens tell all about...parents Here are some com- ments made about par- ents from teens: • "The only way I can think of to prevent teen pregnancy is if parents hold a good and manage- able relationship with their kids." • "I think most parents make the mistake of scar- ing their kids. Parents should tell their kids they won't punish them for having sex but that they will be disappointed because they didn't listen to what they had to say." • "It's almost as if adults are afraid to talk about it (sex) for fear they will put the idea in our heads. Well. Guess what ... we are already thinking about it and we need as much guidance and advice as possible." An ideal parent — according to teens The ideal parent list gives parents an idea of what their children are thinking and some of the attributes they expect their parents to bring to the table when discussing sexuality. Understanding, communicative, able to discipline, fair, confident, respectful, responsible, loving, honest, a good sense of humor, and likes to spend time with their children. What to do? Ten tips for parents: • Be clear about your own sexual values and attitudes. • Talk with your chil- dren early and often about sex, and be specific. • Supervise and monitor your children and adoles- cents. • Know your children's friends and their families. • Discourage early, fre- quent, and steady dating. • Take a strong stand against your daughter dating a boy significantly older than she is. And don't allow your son to develop an intense rela- tionship with a girl much younger than he is. • Help your teenagers have options for the future that are more attractive than early pregnancy and parenthood. • Let your kids know you value education highly. • Know what your kids are watching, reading, and listening to. • These first nine tips are for helping your chil- dren avoid teen pregnan- cy. They work best when they occur as part of strong, close relationships with your children that are built from an early age. The National Campaign To Prevent Teen Pregnancy www.teenpregnancy.org Duplicate Bridge (24 Nov. 2004) Iris Currell Don Currell 47 Edith Brintnell John Brintnell 40 Linda McLean 3 8 1/2 Marshall Dearing.. Carole Hockey 3 8 1/2 Dennis Hockey MUNICIPALITf OF BLUEWATEF MA FIELD - MAY - MENSAL - STANLEY - Zl1RICH 2001 NOTICE OF INTENT TO CLOSE AND SELL CERTAIN LANDS The Council of the Municipality of Bluewater intends to pass a by-law at the December 20th, 2004 regular meeting to permanently close the following street. 1. Part of LaPorte Street, Registered Plan No. 106, former Township of Stanley, lying between the following: Highway No. 21 west to where it intersects with a new street running between Kippen Road and LaPorte Street The portion of LaPorte Street to be closed is described as Part 4 of RP 22R-5068. ALSO TAKE NOTE that the Council of the Municipality of Bluewater has declared the said lands surplus, and further intends to sell the lands to the abutting land owner. LAKE HURON Santt 's waiting for your tAtte?!' fr Santa has asked his helpeuo at the ExeitG.ff Uta,00 Ldgogoag ao gomoge aoaao oTa alto mecaosup andE9Doaff, rs tends t %item :i n t h e 0e.gcx lb uD o II II 40 Santa loves to see pictures of the children who write to him, so please send one along. Write the child's name on the back. If you wish to have the photo returned to you, either pick it up or include a SAS envelope. DROP YOUR LETTERS OFF AT THE TIMES ADVOCATE OR SEND TO: Santa Claus c/o Times Advocate 424 Main St., Exeter, Ont. NOM 1S6 or e-mail ads@southhuron.com DEADLINE IS THURS. DEC. 16 PLEASE KEEP THE LETTERS SHORT AND VERY NEAT AS MR. AND MRS. CLAUS HAVE A LOT OF READING TO DO. USE PEN PLEASE. Child's Name' Place of Residence: Parent's name(s) Age