LilSugar

Would You Show Your Child This Video About Teen Pregnancy?

babysugar — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:00:30 -0700

In a town where one in every 20 teenage girls is pregnant, the kids in Leicester, England came up with a new approach to spreading the word on teen pregnancy. Instead of using the traditional methods of speakers or pamphlets, the Leicester Teenage Pregnancy and Parenthood Partnership came up with the concept of a "homemade" video that would appeal to their peers.

Like many viral videos on the Internet, this one is taped in a Blair Witch fashion. A crowd of students surrounds another teen giving birth on the lawn of her school while her peers scream and shout over the drama of it all. Graphic and shocking in nature, the clip ends with a punch, "Not what you expected? Being a teenage parent might not be either." A potentially effective campaign, would you show this to your child to drive him or her away from the consequences of teen pregnancy?

Birth Control in Schools: Kid Friendly or Are You Kidding?

LilSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:00:44 -0700

Whether there was a pregnancy pact at Glouchester High or not, the Massachusetts school made headlines and as a result contraceptives will be distributed there and at other district high schools with parental consent. What's your opinion?

Do You Talk to Your Kids About Teenage Pregnancy?

LilSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 08:00:23 -0700

Audiences fell in love with Juno, pact or no pact, the girls of Gloucester High School made national headlines and Jamie Lynn Spears left her Nickelodeon stage to set up a nursery - it's been a big year for teenage pregnancy. And, perhaps the finale of it all is the recent announcement that Bristol Palin is expecting. Did you, or would you, use any of these instances to initiate a conversation with your kids about sex or teenage pregnancy?Source and Source

Mayor Said There's No Evidence of Pregnancy Pact

LilSugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Seventeen swelling bellies aside, the Mayor of Gloucester, Carolyn Kirk, said that there is no evidence of a pact between the pregnant students of Gloucester High School as reported by Time. And, believes that the spike in pregnancies, which is more than four times the normal number, is similar to what's happening in other cities. Despite her claim, an Associated Press report said that some students and residents aren't buying into that belief. It said:

Gloucester resident Annette Dion, a 45-year-old private music teacher, said school and city officials should have done more to find out whether the girls truly made a pact to become pregnant. She said denying such a pact existed is "pretty naive."

Do you believe there was a pregnancy pact?

Teens Make a Pregnancy Pact

LilSugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:00:20 -0700

Seventeen students at Gloucester High School in Massachusetts are pregnant and it appears that many made the decision to have babies based on a pact. No doubt, the girls aged 16 and under, many of who took their confirming pregnancy tests at the school nurse's office, are sure to get a lesson in life. Time reported that the expectant young women plan to raise their babies together.

Are You Shy About Buying Pregnancy Tests?

babysugar — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 09:08:24 -0800

I don't know if you watch the highly addictive and ridiculously snooty show Gossip Girl, but last night's episode touched on the teen-pregnancy hot topic (Jamie Lynn Spears anyone?)

With a baby in tow, I've definitely lost my fear of walking up to the counter with a pregnancy test but before a child entered my life, I was a nervous wreck - even with a ring on my finger! As a teenage high schooler, I probably would have puked all over the counter from a bad case of nerves.

Do you get nervous buying tests?

Photos courtesy of The CW

Maternity Leave For Teens?

LilSugar — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:06:33 -0800

Most women can't imagine returning to work the day after they are released from the hospital with their new bundle of joy, though some do. A recent article in The Denver Post questioned the current practice of their local East High School that penalizes teen moms who don't make it back to class after birthing. It said:

"Two counselors from East High School approached the school board last month, saying the policy at their school is unfair and inconsiderate because it forces new moms to return to school the day after being discharged from the hospital or face being charged with unexcused absences."

To finish the story, read more
Senior Kayla Lewis who is five months pregnant is asking that four weeks maternity leave be granted to pregnant students. The time will give their bodies a chance to heal and provide an opportunity to bond with their babies.

Lil Big Screen: Juno Wins an Award in My Book

babysugar — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:00:32 -0800

I finally went to see the Golden Globe nominated movie Juno this weekend. Before entering the theater, I knew three things; it was a comedy with a great cast and the main character was a pregnant teenager.

Not only did I love the movie, but also the cast was outstanding. Break through actress Ellen Page made me fall in love with her character. I am bummed that the film didn't win Best Picture, but I didn't see all the movies that were nominated. To see more about my Junotastic experience, read more.

The film was comedic genius. My husband and I already want to see it again as we missed some dialogue due to the entire audience roaring in laughter. But at times we also had tears in our eyes and fluttering hearts.

I hadn't realized that adoption would be a focus in the film and loved how they handled the topic of teenage pregnancy. While Juno's parents were shocked and appalled at her becoming pregnant, as many would be, they were also supportive. And casting the adoptive mother, Jennifer Garner, in the light they did was especially endearing to me. Since I don't want to spoil the movie for you, I will just say that it made me proud to be a mother.

Leaving the film, I wondered how many kids would be able to do what Juno did. Some may say her decision was brave and others would argue it was stupid, but it made me wish that every unplanned pregnancy had a happy ending. Sadly, I know it was just a movie, but can't help but hope life would imitate art.

Do you think you could have pulled a Juno as a junior in high school?

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Babies Having Babies in Bulgaria

babysugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:00:38 -0800

Sadly teenage pregnancies have become all too common, even trendy in some spots. While movies like Juno make it seem like an American phenomenon, other parts of the world have seen babies having babies for ages. In many countries, the age of consent is as low as 13 or 14. Though it varies by state in America, the average age of consent is 16. So when we hear about an 11-year-old having a daughter, it still shocks the system. When I think of 11-year-olds, I imagine budding girls starting middle school and having their first crush. I think training bras and scrawny legs, not breastfeeding an infant. But that's exactly where one young lady finds herself.

An 11-year-old Bulgarian girl had a daughter in the middle of her wedding festivities. Yes, wedding festivities. The two wanted to tie the knot before the baby's arrival. Apparently it was love at first sight when her 19-year-old fiancé rescued her from a bullying group of lads. The two consecrated their love for each other within a week and unknown to him, she lied about her age so not to scare him off. She immediately became pregnant with his child. Now the two teens are parents to Violeta. The new mommy said, ""I'm not going to play with toys anymore - I have a new toy now."

Teenager Delivers Baby and Walks to Hospital

babysugar — Mon, 05 May 2008 08:00:14 -0700

I read a plethora of new mommy books and took birthing and baby classes, but I don't think I could have delivered my own child like one California teen did.

To learn about her story, read more.

Embarrassed and frightened by her expectant status, Xochitl Parra, 17, kept her pregnancy a secret.

When the high school sophomore began to get ready for a typical school day, she knew something was different. In the shower feeling contractions and fearing what was to come, Xochitl sat down and pushed baby Alejandro out into the world.

She quickly wrapped him in a blanket though they were still attached by the umbilical cord and walked the new baby and the placenta to the hospital four blocks away.

According to an Associated Press article both baby boy and mother are doing well.

Do you think you would have handled a solo home birth as well as this teen?

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