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News, Advice, and Tips for Parenting Teenagers

The By Parents For Parents Blog is regularly updated with the latest news and information on topics that relate to parenting teenagers. We'll post parenting advice and tips from trusted online news sources and expert parenting columns.

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Thursday, July 03, 2008

Teen "Pregnancy Pact" Shocks Small Town

A small high school in Gloucester, Massachusetts, has seventeen pregnant students - four times as many as last year. What's most shocking to many of the town's residents is that some of the girls apparently agreed to have babies as a group and then raise their children together.

There may be even more members of the "pregnancy pact," because administrators at a local clinic are reporting that an unusual number of teens are coming in for pregnancy tests and then expressing disappointed if the results are negative.

Half of the pregnant girls are under age 16, and some of their sexual partners may have been in their 20s, according to the New York Times.

Gloucester is a small town of 30,000. Mayor Caroline Kirk said that the town's economy is bad because of a decline in the fishing industry, and many families are suffering.

"It's the social environment," she said. "These girls think a baby can give them love or status or fill an empty space in their life, and they are very very young."

Labels: pregnancy

posted by ByParents-forParents at 5:01 PM 0 comments

Sunday, May 18, 2008

All About Communication

The entertainment industry doesn't make life easy for parents with teenagers. From Jamie Lynn Spears to Miley Ray Cyrus, kids are inundated with sexual messages, not to mention the peer pressure they face to become sexually active at a young age.

"Although your kids may want to be like Hannah Montana, a recent National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy survey offered statistics providing hope that you are still the most influential role model in your child's life when it comes to sex. Research shows that regular discussions about sex with your child can delay the onset of his or her sexual activity and improve the parent-child relationship."

It takes a little courage, but talk to your kids about current events. Find out what they think of Jamie Lynn Spears' teen pregnancy, or Miley Ray Cyrus' recent racy photos. Talk about the consequences these girls face, or could face, as a result of their decisions. Give your teenager the opportunity to share her opinion and ask questions. Source: Mississippi Clarion Ledger

The Academy at Swift River helps troubled teens and their families build better relathionships. Learn more at SwiftRiver.com.

Labels: communication, pregnancy, relationships

posted by ByParents-forParents at 2:04 PM 0 comments

Saturday, April 05, 2008

Abstinence-only Sex Ed Programs May Not Curb Teen Pregnancy

Last week's announcement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that one in four American teens has a sexually transmitted disease has ignited more fury in the debate on sex education in public schools. Now, a new study from the University of Washington (UW) reveals that students who receive comprehensive sex education that includes information on condoms and birth control are half as likely to become teen parents as those who participate in abstinence-only programs.

UW analyzed the education of 1,719 heterosexual teens ages 15 to 19 and found that 67% had comprehensive sex education, 24% had abstinence-only, and 9% had no sex education. The ones in the comprehensive program were 50% less likely to report pregnancy than those in abstinence-only group.

"We're building more and more evidence that abstinence-only education isn't having much effect," said Pamela Kohler, the lead author of the study.

Congress has spent more than $1.5 billion over the past decade on Title V Abstinence Education, and yet American teens have higher rates of pregnancy, abortion, and STDs than those in other developed countries.

Labels: education, pregnancy, sex

posted by ByParents-forParents at 3:40 PM 0 comments

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Half of Teens Say Getting Pregnant is Possible

A Seventeen Magazine survey of 500 girls ages 13 to 18 found that half of them believe it is possible they would become pregnant within the next five years. However, the majority (66%) worry more about sexually-transmitted diseases than getting pregnant.

Seventy percent of the girls reported that if boys took a more active part in birth control, which would help in preventing unplanned pregnancies. Over 66% said that they had a friend who is now or has been pregnant.

The Seventeen survey was done in conjunction with the Candie's Foundation, which works to prevent teen pregnancy. According to foundation statistics, about 40% of all American girls will become pregnant before they are 20.

"It is unacceptable that approximately 750,000 teenagers will have babies this year in the U.S. Teens need to know and understand that pregnancy has incredibly devastating consequences," Neil Cole, founder of the Candie Foundation, said.

If you have a pregnant teen and need an alternative to traditional boarding schools, visit TeenBoardingSchools.com for a list of alternative boarding schools.

Labels: birth_control, pregnancy, sex

posted by ByParents-forParents at 8:08 PM 1 comments

Friday, January 11, 2008

Talking to Teens about Sex

Britney Spears' younger sister, Jamie Lynn, is 16 and pregnant. The young star of Nickelodeon's Zoey 101, Jamie Lyn brings to the forefront the issue of teen pregnancy and the dangers of trying to grow up too fast too soon. The story also creates an opportunity for parents to talk to their kids about sex.

"How early to start talking about sex depends on the maturity of your child. If a question comes up, be honest, open, and respectful. Also be sure there is two way conversation and not a one way lecture."

Lisa Leblanc, Community Program Coordinator of the Women's Foundation recommends that parents set dating rules, including restrictions how old or young a boy- or girlfriend can be. Sexual activity seems to occur more often in relationships between older boys and younger girls.

Looking for a boarding school for your teenager? Visit TeenBoardingSchools.com for a complete list of boarding schools.

Labels: communication, pregnancy, sex

posted by ByParents-forParents at 5:17 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Book Offers Tools for Teens and Parents

"Wishing: Diaries of a Teen Pregnancy" gives an autobiographical account of the life and challenges faced by author Kim McLeod as a teen in the 1980s. McLeod struggled with peer pressure, drug use and eventually teen pregnancy.

"For McLeod, sharing her experience is important. She sees it as a way to start a dialogue about sexuality and the issues that face all young people. And it's a way to help parents reconnect with their kids."

The Canadian Association of Adolescent Health says that 63% of teens consider their parents a major source of information about sex and sexual health. McLeod's hope is that her book will help make some of those awkward parent-teen conversations a little easier.

Youth Care is a residential treatment center with a special program for teenage girls who are pregnant. Visit Youthcare.com to learn more.

Labels: drugs, pregnancy, pressures

posted by ByParents-forParents at 4:41 PM 0 comments

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