Boys and girls who do well in school, participate in nonacademic activities, and plan for their future are less likely to become pregnant or bear a child during their teenage years. A wide range of interventions aimed at youth is also insufficient, however, if we do not address the larger overriding issues of poverty, racism and media messages that contribute to the complexity of the problem. While the sexual experiences of youth differ greatly, the fact remains that most will become sexually active during their adolescent years, and many will become pregnant or father a child. While some have voiced concern that sex education increases sexual activity, studies show that this is not the case. In fact, effective sex education programs can decrease sexual activity and increase contraceptive use among those already sexually active.
Successful programs have a number of similar components.
Many programs have also involved older teens as role models. Access to childbearing alternatives. Young women who are poor or low-income also need the same opportunities as their more advantaged peers to terminate a pregnancy if they decide that they are not capable of bearing and raising a child. Not for girls only. Too often, adolescent pregnancy is viewed as a problem having to do exclusively with teenage girls.