by July 3rd, 2009. Filed under: teenage pregnancy.
The U.K has one of the highest rates of unmarried teenage pregnancy rates in Europe, it also has one of the highest rates of terminated/aborted pregnacies. On top of which, it has one of the highest ages of consent. I am not saying it is the only reason for teenage pregnancies, but curious to see if others think it may be a significant factor - in that it may shape sex education in schools etc.
The Netherlands has one of the youngest ages of consent, and also has the lowest teenage pregnancy rate and abortion rate in Europe.
No. The difference between here and the Netherlands is their approach to talking about sex in society and sex education in schools. It is near impossible for those not working in sexual health to believe just how backward parent’s views on sex education in schools in this country are.
Filed under: teenage pregnancy
July 4th, 2009 at 2:15 am
The Age of Consent was decided arbitrarily by some self-appointed no-it-alls who then start shrieking "Think of the Children, they must have their innocence protected!!!" anytime someone starts a debate over its usefulness.
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July 4th, 2009 at 2:22 am
I don’t think the age of consent is a significant factor but i do think we should be listening to the people it effects more. We need a high age of consent to protect children from sexual assault. Its not just because people are obsessed with purity and inocence.
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July 4th, 2009 at 2:42 am
Hopefully the fear of being caught in the act of statutory rape with a pregnancy will prompt some under aged participants to use effective birth control
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July 4th, 2009 at 2:58 am
I think the high teen pregnancy rate is a lot to do with the attitude that it has become more acceptable. When I was a teenager you wouldnt have dared risking getting pregnant because you would have been a social outcast, single unmarried mothers were frowned upon by society .. now there is no rule that says you have to get married when you get pregnant so people now think its acceptable..
A few decades ago people were virgins until they got married because thats what was acceptable - it was almost expected… you dont have that now..
I dont think people have the same respect for themselves or others anymore and have an attitude that sex is meaningless or unfortunately - a way to get some kind of love.. maybe its a vicious circle from broken homes or people who werent ready to be parents themselves not knowing how to express emotion and install beliefs in their offspring..
Dont get me wrong - I am a single unmarried mother.. I got pregnant while finishing university (not planned).. I fully intended on getting married too and moved in with my partner - luckily I discovered that he wasnt the person I thought he was before we married. But I am in my late twenties and I understand what being a parent entails.. I was a virgin until I was 18 years old because I was afraid of getting pregnant and I came from a family of long marriages.. I also valued myself as a human being and loosing my virginity was held in high regard and with a sense of responsibility that I dont feel young teenagers have.
They also say that you will parent the way your parents raised you, I was raised with a respect and certain fear of my parents - I wasnt beaten or anything but I had the attitude that I wouldnt embarrass them or hurt them. Do kids these days still have that same attitude?
Since I became a mum myself I have realised that I am as firm with my son has my parents were with me. I dont take any rubbish and have very clearly defined boundaries.
I honestly dont have a clear answer for that question - I dont think its linked with the age of consent because that was in when I was young.. but I do think it has to do with a break down in society - where that crack lies I do not know…
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July 4th, 2009 at 3:22 am
I believe in Spain the age of ‘consent’ is 12 BUT there also is an age range i.e. a 13 year olds range is one year either side, so you do not get ‘predators’ (sickos) abusing the laws.
I think at 16 the other party has to be 21 or younger (this all from memory so could be slightly out)
So since the UK does have a big issue with pregnant teens compared to Spain, the age of consent does have an effect, so does societies cultural values & sex education.
A government study should be carried out…
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http://www.avert.org/ageconsent.htm
July 4th, 2009 at 3:39 am
I think teenagers in mainland Europe are sexually active at just as early an age as UK teens. The difference, as far as I can tell, is that the European teenagers seem to be prepared to use condoms and ours don’t, hence loads of unwanted pregnacnies and STDs. Having sex really doesn’t need to lead to those problems if people just used a bit of common sense. I think this is connected with an unhealthy culture around these issues in this country. It’s a sex-obsessed culture and yet kids don’t feel they can talk to their parents about these things. From what I know of France and Spain (and I know this is a huge generalisation), people there are more comfortable with sexuality and are able to talk about things openly.Maybe that means that young girls in those countries are better able to communicate their needs and concerns and are probably less likely to be pressured into risky situations by their peers or boyfriends.
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July 4th, 2009 at 3:58 am
No. The difference between here and the Netherlands is their approach to talking about sex in society and sex education in schools. It is near impossible for those not working in sexual health to believe just how backward parent’s views on sex education in schools in this country are.
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