Safe Sex Practices Essay, Research Paper

During a recent survey conducted at Florida Atlantic University, seven students were interviewed regarding their knowledge and beliefs in safe sex practices and teen pregnancy. When asked what they thought of teen pregnancy, all of the respondees were very similar to each other. Dianne Mendez stated that, “Teens are having sexual intercourse from the ages of thirteen through sixteen, and that probably one out of three get pregnant.” All of the students that were involved in the survey responded that teens should not be having sex or even thinking about having a baby, if they were not financially stable. Sandra Mendez said that, “Teenagers are not ready to have babies and not mentally mature enough to understand the ramifications.” Lissette Teran responded that, ” Teenage parents can tell society of their own personal exerpenies, and what they had to go through; because they no longer can only think of just themselves but another human being, and still they are having sex, and hopefully this will make them think twice of having unprotected sex.” When seven students were asked, what are some of the methods of prevention each of their answers varied. Birth control methods for the male respondees were condoms and pulling out before ejaculation. The female respondees were birth control pills, sponges, foams and the depoprovera shot. Two respondees suggested that people should have oral sex instead of sexual intercourse, because it prevents pregnancy. Candy Portugal replied, “Of course the best way of protection would be not to have any sexual relations with anyone, but this method seems to be the last method that’s being used by most teens.” Dominck Saez stated that, “Most teenagers don’t realize how important protection is, not only for pregnancy, but for sexually transmitted diseases. With so many different type’s of protection you would think that our percentage rate of diseases and pregnancy would be low. The percentage of teen pregnancy and diseases have gotten higher than what they have been in the past years. Although many teens ignore the methods of prevention, they also fail to realize how much a child needs.” I now asked, how do you think that most teens would support this child. The responses received regarding the methods of supporting a child varied. Sandra Mendez said that, “Many teens feel that supporting a baby is like supporting a pet; they fail to realize how much time, money, and attention a baby requires.” Two out of seven surveyed stated that some girls are lucky enough to have supporting parents and that the babies father is there to help out in many different ways. Karina Sarquis responded that, “One of the ways could be that the parent’s of the teenager can watch the baby while the teenager continues his or her education, and allow them to work and watch the child.” Four out of seven surveyed stated that not all teenage pregnancy turn out that way. Joseph Ayala replied that, “Sometimes the teenager ends up dropping out of school to get two jobs; the teenager would just make enough to maintain a roof over their heads and food on the table.” Dianne Mendez answered, “Another type of situation that a teenager can also fall into is when there is no help from the babies father or their parents; then that’s when they would fall into the category of turning to society for some public assistance, or another word for it would be welfare.” The students were also asked for their personal opinion if they felt that society has the responsibility of supporting the child. Karina Sarquis said that, “Teenagers feel that society has to pay for their mistakes in life.” Five out of seven students opinion was that if they were old enough to have sex, then they should not get any type of help from the government. Sandra Mendez replied that, “They did not need the government to get pregnant.” Two out seven felt that the government should help out, but agreed that there should be some type of limit for public assistance. Joseph Ayala suggested that, “One of the limits were that for the first child they should help out and try to help the teenager go towards the right path; there can be more free programs instead of giving the teenager free rent or food stamps.” Dominick Saez responded that, “Society can help out with a government owned day care center and training for the parents to better themselves and their education.” Sandra Mendez stated that, “On the other hand some girls take advantage of the system and have more than one child and continue to live off society; just like any other situation the help of society varies from person to person; depending on that somebody, you can’t help someone that doesn’t want to better themselves.” When asked how they felt about abortion five out of seven said that they don’t think that’s it is right for a teenager to abort a child. Lissette Teran answered that, “Most teenagers would use this as a way out, and that this was their birth control.” Joesph Ayala laughingly said that, “If a teenager can have sex then they should be responsible for their own mistakes and not turn to abortion.” Two out of seven stated that abortion is ok. Candy Portugal stated that, “Teenagers are not ready for the responsibility and that the baby shouldn’t suffer in this world.” Dianne Mendez replied that, “Another reason is that most teenagers can’t even control themselves, nevertheless handle a child.” In conclusion, It is evident from the responses of the survey that the students believed that most teenage pregnancies would be inconvenient and life altering experience for the teenager and they would have a lot of responsibility on their hands for a long time to come. For instance, instead of preparing to go to a party and maybe having a drink or two, a teenage mom would have to be preparing a bottle of milk for the baby to drink. The teenager would have to make a big decision regarding on having the child or not. It should be up to the parents whether they should keep the baby or just to abort it. The teenager would have to face their mistakes. And weather they want to do it with or without society’s help.

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