Teen Pregnancy.

[Dragon Ranger]

The Solution:

to go with it

[Memento Mori]

You have to be joking me right.
It may not relate to American Society, or Europe society, but there are some cultures who are still in that phase.
African tribes is an example, they still believe in the rituals of becoming a man, claiming a wife, etc.
And they are teenagers and they have sex, they have children too.
I see it cultural fit that teenagers should have sex, if they truly believe they are mature enough let them make their own mistakes.
Children learn from their mistakes.
And if that is raising a child as a child and realizing that it was a mistake then so be it.

I should go get knocked up and use "Well, African tribes do it" as an excuse to my parents.

[Manhattan_Project_2000]

Most animals do not have sex for pleasure. They have it to protect their species.

We are NOT tigers, do NOT compare us to tigers.

The reason we don't like teenagers getting pregnant is because, in most cases, they CANNOT raise them. It doesn't help our species when they can't raise them. And while it is natural to have sex, we have systems set up where their little mistake leads to us paying for them.

Why are you using things that don't relate to today's society for this thread? We have moved past cavemen.

In summary:

Unlike most animals, humans can have sex for pleasure. Today's teenagers are curious about this while ignoring the fact that they can get pregnant. It effects us when they have children, and I know from family experience that they will just turn to government hand-outs. I know that's my favorite thing to say now, but it's true.

You're setting up a false dichotomy- that humans CHOOSE to mate of their own free will because it's fun and animals don't. Humans are hormonally compelled to mate soon after they become fertile (read: Early Teens). Animals, same thing. Why? Because it's evolutionarily advantageous. For almost all of human history the average age of death was about 35, if you weren't humping in your teens you were likely to miss raising your offspring. Sure, humans exercise discretion, but almost every animal does. Wildebeest don't stop running from the lions to have a quickie. They wait until they can get home and put on some Barry White.

For social reasons (Thanks Victorianism!) it's become unacceptable for teens to procreate, but you aren't going to be able to effect this garbage big-numbers wise because it goes against the fundamental instincts of the human animal. Which is why I think birth control should be practically shoved down everyones throat*.

*I'd be ok with it actually being shoved down people throats too, for example being required to get some persistent birth control method (Intrauterine devices, shots, etcetera) as a requirement of attending school, similar to vaccination requirements. I'd make males do it too just to be fair if there actually was a male contraceptive.

[Aleyna]

Wow I can't believe I didn't come to this thread sooner. Ok well I am scared of having a kid in the future, and them getting pregnant. I now know 9 girls, which 4 of them ARE my FRIENDS, that are pregnant or just recently HAD a kid in the past few months.

[Memento Mori]

You're setting up a false dichotomy- that humans CHOOSE to mate of their own free will because it's fun and animals don't. Humans are hormonally compelled to mate soon after they become fertile (read: Early Teens). Animals, same thing. Why? Because it's evolutionarily advantageous. For almost all of human history the average age of death was about 35, if you weren't humping in your teens you were likely to miss raising your offspring. Sure, humans exercise discretion, but almost every animal does. Wildebeest don't stop running from the lions to have a quickie. They wait until they can get home and put on some Barry White.

For social reasons (Thanks Victorianism!) it's become unacceptable for teens to procreate, but you aren't going to be able to effect this garbage big-numbers wise because it goes against the fundamental instincts of the human animal. Which is why I think birth control should be practically shoved down everyones throat*.

*I'd be ok with it actually being shoved down people throats too, for example being required to get some persistent birth control method (Intrauterine devices, shots, etcetera) as a requirement of attending school, similar to vaccination requirements. I'd make males do it too just to be fair if there actually was a male contraceptive.

See, that's totally better than saying "Well, African tribes do it, so it's socially acceptable everywhere."

[Manhattan_Project_2000]

See, that's totally better than saying "Well, African tribes do it, so it's socially acceptable everywhere."

Well it's either that or we keep on trying social initiatives that have no chance of succeeding (abstinence only education, lol) and then demonize anyone that follows their biological imperatives. That seems reasonable.

Given the choice between effectiveness and idealogical purity, I always err towards the former. If your plan relies on the good judgment and foresight of teenagers, then you are ALWAYS going to be disappointed. Such is the human condition.

[Memento Mori]

Well it's either that or we keep on trying social initiatives that have no chance of succeeding (abstinence only education, lol) and then demonize anyone that follows their biological imperatives. That seems reasonable.

Given the choice between effectiveness and idealogical purity, I always err towards the former. If your plan relies on the good judgment and foresight of teenagers, then you are ALWAYS going to be disappointed. Such is the human condition.

What do you think I'm taught in church and school on a daily basis? Stuff that will actually benefit me?!

Lol.

[Noskee88]

if you cant feed em dont breed em!

[Zenga]

I could barely take care of myself at that age. Taking care of a child? I couldn't imagine how much responsibility goes with a child.
Besides, I don't think kids aren't supposed to have kids that young. It just doesn't seem right to me.

[BDNguyen]

People shouldn't have children unless they're between age 27-33 supposedly. In my opinion, people need to cut down on having children in the first place. There will be more people to take care of, thus more forests will be stripped for residential areas, more cars on the road to dump out its ozone eating CO2, more animals being killed for our consumption, and generally just more people exceeding the Earth's carrying capacity.

[Lola Granola]

Looks like you're talking about the Malthusian theory.

[Alycursed]

Of course, the children should be kept under control.
Unless the parents actually want their kids to make babies at
that young an age and are willing to help
care and pay for it. Which isn't likely.
And yeah, it's ridiculous how many kids in school are pregnant.
Their parents need to keep a better eye on their kids.
I don't wanna place ALL the blame on the parents.......
but yea. Getting pregnant that young seems to just mess up everything.
D:

[Memento Mori]

Of course, the children should be kept under control.
Unless the parents actually want their kids to make babies at
that young an age and are willing to help
care and pay for it. Which isn't likely.
And yeah, it's ridiculous how many kids in school are pregnant.
Their parents need to keep a better eye on their kids.
I don't wanna place ALL the blame on the parents.......
but yea. Getting pregnant that young seems to just mess up everything.
D:

No, remember, it's perfectly fine and acceptable because African tribes do it!

[Manhattan_Project_2000]

What do you think I'm taught in church and school on a daily basis? Stuff that will actually benefit me?!

Lol.

So wait, you're acknowledging that your position is foolish, ineffective and overly-idealistic? Yet you're still holding it? Explain.

[Archaic Devices]

Ages 12-15? No. Ages 16-19? Whatever. At that age your smart enough to know what's right and what's wrong.

[Memento Mori]

So wait, you're acknowledging that your position is foolish, ineffective and overly-idealistic? Yet you're still holding it? Explain.

I got some friends there. O:

[♫mëkÅ-chan♫]

Sigh...this topic is definately annoying to me
Teens don't listen to anyone because they want "satisfaction"
they want to feel good and unfortunately sex is the "feel good"
i think the word virginity is completely gone in this generation
it means nothing to them
To me it's really both of the girl and guy's fault that she got pregnat
one..he should had used protection
two...she should had checked to see if he had protection

and if those steps are taken then he got the wrong type of protection
gloves isn't a good idea
neither is "i'll pull out before 'it' happens"
those don't work especially not the second one

-sigh- I've also seen too many girls neglect their child and too many guys claiming it isn't their's when the baby looks exactly like them when it comes out
Teens having babies is big no no
they haven't even finished high school or started college
the baby may seem "cute" to friends but in reality they know things are going to change

for me i'm the only virgin in a pack of friends and im pretty much unaffected
it doesn't matter if they pick on me
most of my friends worry all the time about getting pregnat
and im thinking
"DONT HAVE SEX"

rawrrrrr but ofcourse like i said before
they are not going to listen
because most of them don't care

but if you ask me...when the population gets too big because of this im definately moving to Iceland ~.~ (insider)