Or rather the right education.
Rather odd as I am a secondary teacher to say this perhaps, or is it?
I am not making light of a very complex issue. I also realise there are many other factors, but I know this is one.
I teach Childcare. The unit we are now covering is Human Growth and Development from Birth to Old Age. I have to go through pregnancy. and always start as Julie Andrews famously sang 'from the very beginning'..
Okay, first questions then
'Why do we have a period?'
Silence.
'Does anyone know when they ovulate?'
Silence.
'Can anyone tell me any of the signs of ovulation?'
Silence.
'Does anyone know when in the month it is more likely you can get pregnant?"
Silence.
'How long does the woman's egg live for once it's released?"
Silence.
' How long does the male sperm live for once ejaculated?"
Silence.
'Does anyone know what stops the contraceptive pill working?"
Silence.
In seven years of teaching this course I have not had one child able to answer these very simple questions.
This is worrying.
After I have explained this part of conception, which takes about half an hour, all the students comment on how they wish they had known these facts and how a lot more about their bodies makes sense.
My daughters have often had to explain these facts to their friends too.
What a shame our young ladies have so very little knowledge, and it begs the question as to why not.
I am not saying this will stop teenagers getting pregnant, but it may go a long way to helping those of them that have an 'accident' be able to prevent this!
This is an excellent website if you want some help.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Yourchildshealthandsafety/WorriedAbout/DG_10015927
Don't forget the boys! Always tell my son it is absolutely his responsiblity if he doesn't want to be a dad
ReplyDeleteI only discovered a lot of this, Fiona, when reading about conception in a book on fertility (Zita West). You're right to say that many young people are poorly educated in this area, but I think there is a lot to cover in school. Also, I guess even some parents wouldn't know it, and therefore couldn't pass it on. It's certainly food for thought though.
ReplyDeleteYes Absolutely! I just don't ever get any boys in Childcare! When I taught in schools I gave them the 'talk' too!
ReplyDeleteLucy, I agree, I think a lot of ladies are not that sure.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunatly I just deleated a comment instead of adding it here. It was one I really wanted to address however the peson posted it as annonmous. Please if you are reading this post again thanks as I would like to address the comments you raised.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous has left a new comment on your post "One of the reasons our teenage pregnancy rates are...":
ReplyDeleteFiona, as a mother I think you should stop spouting this nonsense when it is abundantly clear you have no idea what you are saying due to the fact YOU fail to use contraception to keep your family to a sensible size.
I hope none of your daughters fall pregnant at a young age and add to this problem in our society which you claim to be so knowledgeable about.
The above comment was the ne I thought I had deleated but found in my 'Trash' emails.
ReplyDeleteMy response;
Dear Anonymous,
Having taught teenage girls in high schools for well over 20 years and listened to them, I do actually know what I am talking about! otherwise I would never have dreampt writing this post or making such unfounded claims.
I talk in this particular blog as a teacher more so than a parent.
I wonder what you consider a 'sensible size'?
Society over last few decades has changed radically in it's perception of the norm. I am currently studying for my masters degree and have actually based a lot of my research on large families i the centuary as well as teenage pregnancy for one of my assignments.
A sensible size depends on your religious convictions, culture, the society you love in, where you are in the world and a whole lot of other factors. My family size is chosen partly out of religious convictions as well as a pure joy of having children. The last time I checked, I lived in a democracy, where my religious beliefs as well as my lifestyle choices were respected. We have the means to raise all of our children in a home, paid for by our jobs, and claim nothing from the state other than child benifit, like every other family.
My article is not about whether I chose to use contraception, but rather that we should educate our daughters better, so they make informed choices and not ones based on ignorance. My family size was an informed choice!
Actually one of my daughters did fall pregnant at 18 and too her credit went on to get herself through university with a toddler in tow and hold down another job to fund it. She is now a qualified teacher, starting her Masters degree and recently married. She is hard working and her daughter who is now 5 is an absoulte credit to her, I could not be more proud!
I feel you have completly misinterpreted my article. I do not claim to be 'so knowledgeable' but rather I am making an observation based on what I have obsereved in my classes, that is all.It is an observation other work collegues have also seen as well.
Perhpas if you realy do not agree with my remarks or my family choices it would be better not to read my blog.