British Expatriate Network

Abortion rates among under 14's is increasing in the UK.


http//news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4720813.stm

However, for under 16's and under 18's it has dropped slightly. Is it the sex education that these kids are receiving that is to blame? Is sex education given too early in schools in the UK where too much information is given out but these children are not mature enough to really understand what they are being taught. Is it being given too late? I understood sex education was given before the children hit 14 but if the number of abortions is among 12 year olds and they aren't getting any information at this age then is that why this figure is increasing - but what difference should that make? Surely, the figure should stay the same, not increase?

Is sex education actually working or just creating more problems? Or does it come down to the parents relying on the school to do their job and therefore exacerbating the problem?

It would be interesting to compare the figures to the ones from other countries that are more/less liberal than the UK. Not just on abortion, though, but on all teenage pregnancies. If I remember this correctly, quite a few years ago I read an article in the UK and it compared the rate in the UK to the rate in the US. The teenage rate of pregnancy was the same in both regarding the number of teenagers going to full term and having the baby. However, the abortion rates were much lower in the US than the UK. Basically stating that the number of teenage pregnancies overall was lower in the US than the UK - is this due to the fact that there is a lack of sex education in many parts of the US?

I had my first at 16 shock Now I am 32 and I look at 16 yrs olds I cannot believe I was ever that young! They are babies... and of course I thought I was so grown up! What is weird for me is that my girl is now right about the age that I was when I got pregnant.. and she is so... kid-like, hard to explain.

For me personally, lack of, or too much sex education did not even play a part. Without making excues (after all, I could have said no!!!) for me I think it was a lot to do with the kids I hung around with. They were all "doing it" ...

I have noticed tho that the girls just seem to be getting younger and younger. Gives me the shivers..

Just keep your hand on your ha'penny.

Olde worlde advice regards....

Debs x 8)

:lol: :lol: Debs, that made me laff hard. Even now, married with 3 kids, every time I talk to my nan, she asks me "hows' yer ha'penny?" Errrrmmm.... Where is that supposed to be again :oops:

[schild=1 fontcolor=006400 shadowcolor=C0C0C0 shieldshadow=1]Buy yer new ha'pennies here!!![/schild]

I don’t think sex education in schools is solely to blame for the increase in young/teenage pregnancies. I think the concept behind early intervention is to educate before patterns of behavior are established. Clearly, that’s not working too well! :sad: Perhaps a higher standard of sex education, combined with relationship education may help raise awareness of how pregnancy impacts young lives.
I think there are a number of contributing factors responsible for teenage pregnancy; primarily, socio-economic background, social isolation and poverty. Those who live in deprived areas, where (generally) the wider expectations of the community, family and peers tend to be significantly lower, are more likely to become victims of teenage pregnancy.
I also think lack of self-esteem plays a significant role, as does parenting style, physical and sexual abuse. Perhaps increased facilities for improving parenting skills and more family counseling provision would be helpful.
Easier access and an increase in confidential services such as relationship counseling, sexual health advice centers and contraception may also help. The sooner effective initiatives are put in place the better, or these disturbing figures will continue to increase.