Background
Children of teenage parents are at a higher risk of poverty, poor health and infant mortality and Manchester has a high rate of teenage pregnancy, and many indicators of social deprivation. Most teenage pregnancies are in the 16-18 group. Of 41,000 under 18 pregnancies in England each year, about 2600 are in Greater Manchester. About 40% of Manchester’s teenage pregnancies end in abortion, over 1000 a year in greater Manchester, showing a real need for better access to contraception.
Panel discussion
When asked about the state of sex education panel members said sex education is inconsistent, depending on individuals, schools, parents, teachers, materials, staff training and funding. Barbara Hastings-Asatourian has developed resources, like Contraception the Board Game, and provides training for teachers and parents, with a focus on building self esteem. The message from Western Europe is that the earlier and the better the sex education is, the later and less risky first sex will be. There is absolutely no evidence to support sex education encouraging sexual promiscuity.
When asked why some teenagers choose to become pregnant, the panel said some may be repeating a familiar pattern, some may not have had a happy childhood, they may have been in care, they may even have been sexually abused, and may now be looking for love in their lives. They need support.
Groups who are supporting teenagers do not automatically receive funds, some get grants, short term funding only to have it withdrawn. Barbara says “If teenage pregnancy and health are major issues that the government is tackling, the funding needs to be permanent, not here for 6 months or 3 years or just the duration of a government”
One argument we sometimes hear is that teenage girls are choosing to get pregnant to get a house to “land on their feet”. The Gloves Off panel were very quick to refute this, saying that teenage parents are generally poorer. Under 16’s cannot claim benefits in their own right, and accommodation can be far from ideal.
So will the government’s target of halving teenage pregnancy by 2010 be realised?
The panel was optimistic that the trend will continue to be down, but to half the rate is highly unlikely without
- considerably more effort towards leveling out inequalities
- good consistent statutory sex education
- good information about contraception and teen friendly access to contraception
To find out more about what we do please visit http://www.contraceptioneducation.co.uk/
3 comments:
All education, if looked at across the board, is inconsistent, various influences come into play such as location, numbers in class, budgets, teachers experience and also parent involvement. This is why some schools do well and some struggle.
With the government’s education targets being displayed for all to see through league tables, most schools will be focusing on literacy and numeracy. Subjects such as sex education are very important but unfortunately don't influence the tables.
If the Government wants to do something about teenage pregnancies, they are going to have to provide materials/funding.
My daughter is 16 years of age and is currently studying for a Diploma in Childcare at South Trafford College in Manchester. She admits that she would really struggle to properly bring up a child at her age due to a distinct lack of life experience.
I think, therefore, that any initiative that can help cut pregnancy in teenagers and, in so doing, afford them more time to gain the experience to make parenthood a better prospect for both parent and child alike has got to be a good thing.
The materials provided by Contraception Education do just that and the Government should look seriously at making them available to the education system.
Having purhased the Board Game from Contraception Education for the use of our children and their friends we found it to be a valuable tool in our childrens sex education.
We would urge all local authority / goverment education depts to make the materials available from Contraception Education available to all children nationwide.
Post a Comment