Your Sex Education

Birth Control, Abstinence and Unplanned Pregnancy:
Who Taught You About Sex?

Recently, the type of sex education received by teenagers and young adults has come under the microscope. Some have criticized sex education programs for their focus (or lack thereof) on either abstinence or birth control as a way to prevent unplanned pregnancy and abortion.

Birth control and unplanned pregnancy are a sensitive topic for many, but a recent study has tried to analyze the connection between abstinence and contraceptive sex education, and the likelihood of experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. A total of 1,400 North American women were asked: "Where did you get your sex education, and are you satisfied?"

Parents, School and Sex Education
Women can receive sex education and information about birth control from a variety of sources. These include parents, school programs, doctors, clinics, friends, books and the Internet. In fact, the study found that women were more satisfied as well as less likely to experience an unplanned pregnancy if they received sex education from a variety of sources.

In particular, the majority of respondents preferred getting information about sex from their friends, as well as other informal sources as opposed to schools and clinics, for example. Satisfaction proved to be an important consideration, and seems to be connected to fewer unplanned pregnancies.

Birth Control vs Abstinence Education
The debate about sex education with a focus on either abstinence or contraception has been highlighted by critics. More specifically, the question arises: what type of education system can prevent unplanned pregnancies and abortion?

According to the study, women who received no education about abstinence or birth control from parents and schools were the most likely to have an unplanned pregnancy. In contrast, those who received sex education that either focused on abstinence only, or equally focused on abstinence and contraception in school were least likely to have an unplanned pregnancy or abortion.

In addition, the study looked at the relationship between religion and sex education. The results suggest that women who are not affiliated with a religion such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism or Buddhism were more likely to experience an unplanned pregnancy. This may be due to the type of education received from religious parents; for example, parents of respondents of Christian affiliation were more likely to teach their daughters about abstinence.

Conclusions: What Does It All Mean?
So what does the type of sex education a woman receives say about her chances of having an unplanned pregnancy?

The study suggests that the best way to prevent unplanned pregnancy and abortion is by offering sex education that includes abstinence as a viable alternative to contraception, particularly when combined with birth control education. Indeed, respondents whose religious and cultural backgrounds encouraged abstinence were less likely to report an unplanned pregnancy, though education about contraceptive methods remains an important part of the equation.

Offering other sources of sex education such as birth control and STD information from Internet sources may also be beneficial since most women preferred informal sex education. In fact, the data used in the study was retrieved through an Internet survey that was not connected to any other websites. While this may make for some biased response rates, overall the Internet seems to be an important option to consider when it comes to offering discussion and education about sex for teenagers.

When it comes to new models of sex education, school and parents still play an important role in preventing the risk of unplanned pregnancy. However, the study suggests that a peer model for sex education could prove beneficial, since women were more satisfied when receiving information from friends.

Source: M. T. Williams, L. Bonner, "Sex Education Attitudes and Outcomes Among North American Women," Adolescence, 41(161):1-14, Spring 2006

Choosing Adoptive Parents

Pregnancy Crisis: Questions to Ask Potential Adoptive Parents

Pregnancy can be an overwhelming experience for a teenager, particularly if it is an unplanned pregnancy. One of the foremost concerns in cases of teenage pregnancy is weighing the options of parenting, adoption or abortion. Adoption is one path that many teens take because it is a unique opportunity that can provide a variety of benefits that the teen would often not otherwise be able to provide for her child. As such, it is important for pregnant women to ask potential adoptive parents a variety of questions that address important issues so as to choose the best home for their baby.

Interviewing Potential Adoptive Parents
When looking for potential adoptive parents, it is important for a pregnant teen to ask questions that will provide insight into important issues that will affect both the birth parents and their child. Consider asking potential adoptive parents the following questions:

• why are you interested in adopting?
• how long have you been married?
• what makes your marriage successful?
• what kind of contact would you like to have with the birth mother?
• what type of relationship do you have with your extended family?
• how many children do you have/are you planning to have?
• what future do you see for your adopted child?
• what is your educational background?
• what is your occupation?
• are you both planning to work after adopting?
• where do you live?
• are you planning on moving in the future?
• what are your religious beliefs?
• how do you handle conflict?
• what are your views regarding discipline?
• what makes you good parents?

Your Role as Birth Mother
In addition, it is important to consider what type of role you would like to have as the birth mother. For instance, how much contact would you like to have with the child? What kinds of visiting privileges will you have? Will anyone else share these privileges (i.e. the baby’s father)? Do you want to name the baby? Also, you should take into account how much contact the adoptive parents will have with you during your pregnancy: will the adoptive parents be involved during pregnancy? Will they be present at the baby’s birth?

While these questions can sometimes be difficult to think about, and often require great reflection before a decision can be reached, it is imperative to consider them thoroughly in order to ensure that you are comfortable with the home in which your baby is placed.

Benefits of Adoption

Pregnancy Crisis: Benefits of Adoption

When faced with an unplanned pregnancy, many women become overwhelmed by the prospect of becoming a parent. For some, these types of feelings can lead to the decision to terminate the pregnancy (abortion). For others, it can lead to severe anxiety and stress over how they will cope with impending parenthood.

In these types of situations, adoption may provide a solution. Indeed, adoption provides the birth mother with the opportunity to continue bettering herself for the future, while also providing her child with loving parents who are financially and emotionally prepared for the responsibility.

Benefits for the Mother, Child, and Adoptive Parents
For some expectant mothers, adoption is the ideal way to resolve the dilemma of, on the one hand, wanting to provide her child with a good life, while on the other, acknowledging the fact that they are either not in a place financially or emotionally to be able to do so.

In fact, studies have shown that among unmarried women faced with an unplanned pregnancy, those that choose adoption (rather than parenting) are more likely to finish school, pursue higher education, and are also less likely to live in poverty and receive social assistance.

Other benefits of adoption include:

• being able to pursue goals and aspirations
• financial assistance, including all prenatal, delivery, and legal expenses
• choice of adoptive parents you would like for your child, as well as what type of interaction you would like with them in the future
• knowing your child will be well cared for
• knowing you're giving a couple the opportunity to fulfill their dream of starting a family

Choosing adoption means also giving your child the opportunity for a better education, and more importantly, a loving family environment that will nurture him or her for future sucesss.

Questions to Consider Before Choosing Adoption
While many mothers who choose adoption for their child report feeling at peace with their decision, it is important to keep the following questions in mind when considering whether or not adoption is right for you:

• Have I given myself enough time to consider all aspects of this decision (or am I making it impulsively)?
• Is the information I’m basing my decision on reliable, or is it from a movie, TV show, or other media sources?
• Is this decision being made based on my needs and interests, or am I doing it for someone else?
• Is my decision also based on what is in the best interest of my child?

Once you are comfortable with the answers to these questions, you will know you are making the right decision.