Planned Parenthood Prevents
Teen Pregnancies
by Lisa Dunning, MA, MFT
Planned Parenthood is an alternative
for teenagers when they do not know where else to turn. They offer
education on parenting, sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted
pregnancy precautions and offer support for individuals who want to
terminate their pregnancy. Teens are provided guidance and education
from trained staff members rather than receiving all their information
about sex from their peers.
Many Parents Are Against
Planned Parenthood
Many parents are against their
children seeking out the services in Planned Parenthood facilities,
feeling it promotes sex rather than abstinence. Typically parents
opposed to Planned Parenthood are parents who do not educate their
children on the risks of engaging in sex. They promote abstinence
without discussing any other options with their children. Planned
Parenthood provides education about the dangers of engaging in sex as
well as options should the teen choose to engage in sexual activity.
Many Teenagers Feel Safer Talking To
A Planned Parenthood Staff Member
Many teenagers feel safer talking to a
Planned Parenthood staff member about sexual relationships rather than
with their parents. It is surprising to hear that many teenagers have
not discussed sex with their parents. When asked where they go to find
their information the majority of the teenagers say their peers.
For pregnant girls who are too afraid
to approach their parents, the staff at a Planned Parenthood facility
offers a supportive environment for anyone who is questioning whether or
not to go through with their pregnancy. Many teenage girls find the
facility non judgmental and easier to discuss all their available
options.
Planned Parenthood Coming To A School
Near You!
Planned Parenthood has facilities
throughout the country. Some schools also encourage staff members from
Planned Parenthood to come to their schools to educate students about
the dangers of engaging in unprotected sex. With the education the
facilities provide, more teenagers are aware of all their options and
therefore tend to make more informed decisions about sex. Armed with
more knowledge teenagers are better equipped to make intelligent
decisions about sex. Whether a teenager chooses to abstain from sex or
use protection, every parent generally agrees that a decline in overall
teenage pregnancies is in everyone's best interest. I encourage
parents and teens to seek out the services of Planned Parenthood, as
parent and child alike would benefit from the education these facilities
provide. If you are a
parent having a difficult time talking to your child about sex, contact the
Planned Parenthood facility nearest you.
Any of these articles by
Lisa Dunning, Family Therapist may be re-published in hardcopy
(magazines, newsletters or newspapers) or electronic format in websites,
ezines or electronic newsletters provided the following resource box is included at the end of the article with a
link to the URL
| Lisa Dunning is a
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Specializing in
Parent/Child Relationship issues, the author of "Good
Parents Bad Parenting: How To Parent Together When Your
Parenting Styles Are Worlds Apart" and the host of her own
radio show, "Life Support". She provides marriage, divorce and parenting
phone
sessions to clientele across the United States and Canada and provides expert
parenting advice to newspaper & magazine columnists. To learn
more about Lisa Dunning visit her website at http://www.LisaDunningMFT.com. |
