1. Risks of Adolescent Sexual Activity
20.1

2. What Is Your Health IQ?
Only about 1/3 of pregnant teenagers ever complete high school.
True
Most teen mothers eventually marry the father of their child.
False, only about 20% of teen mothers eventually marry the father of their child

3. Health IQ con’t.
Teen parents usually must interrupt their education to work
True
Babies born to teen mothers are more likely to suffer health problems
There is no effective way to prevent all of the risks of teen sexual activity.
False, abstinence eliminates the risks of teen sexual activity

4. Objectives
Identify the possible consequences, especially for teens of sexual activity before marriage
Describe how pregnancy can affect the lives of teen parents & babies of teens
Identify how abstinence eliminates the risks of teen sexual activity
Predict how a pregnancy now (yours or your partner’s) would affect your life goals

5. Key Terms Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)
An infectious disease that is spread by sexual contact

6. Risks of Teen Sexual Activity
Unplanned Pregnancy
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

7. Beliefs vs Reality
“If I have a baby, I’ll be the center of attention.”
He won’t leave me if I’m pregnant w/his baby.”
“I can’t get pregnant the first time.”
“Jan is a really nice girl. She’d never have an STD.”
Few teens want to be around a baby.
Teen pregnancy adds stress to a relationship
You CAN get pregnant the 1st time you have sex.
Sexually active individuals are at risk of getting STDs.

8. Teen Pregnancy Most teens think it won’t happen to me.
800,000 – 900,000 females get pregnant each year
1/5 sexually active females get pregnant each year
4/10 females become pregnant at least once before age 20
The majority of pregnant women under the age of 20 are not married

9. Health Effects On Teen Mom
Pregnancy is hard on the teen mother
Teen bones & muscles are not ready for the physical stresses of pregnancy
Teens are still developing physically
Teens must eat well & get medical care to stay healthy & to increase their chances of delivering a healthy baby,
Otherwise both the mother & the baby can have health problems.

10. Teen Parents The responsibilities of teen parenthood require: Personal
Social
Educational &
Financial Sacrifices

11. Teen Parents Caring for a baby is hard work.
Teen parents take on adult responsibilities
Usually have to interrupt their education
Have limited job options
Parents are legally responsible for the care & well-being of their children
Most teen parents are not prepared to make these sacrifices or to take on adult responsibilities

12. Realities Of Teen Parents
Teen fathers earn, on average, less money per year than male teens who delay fatherhood until age 20 – 21
Being a teen parent means having less free time for yourself
Only 20% of single teen mothers eventually marry the father of their child
Only about 30% of pregnant teenagers ever finish high school

13. Babies Of Teen Parents Teens often delay medical care
Babies born to teen mothers are more likely to suffer from health problems
Are more likely to be born premature & to have low birth weight (less than 5 ½ #s)
Babies with low birth weight are more likely to have physical & mental problems than babies w/normal birth weight

14. Pregnant?
If someone you know is or thinks she is pregnant, encourage her to see a doctor right away
She & her partner should also talk to a parent or trusted adult
Many communities offer counseling, prenatal care, & classes on childbirth & parenting to pregnant teens

15. Abstinence Eliminates The Risks Of Teen Sexual Activity
One way you can protect your dreams & goals is to remain abstinent from sexual activity
Only abstinence eliminates the risks of teen sexual activity, pregnancy, or STDs.
There are many ways to show love & affection non-sexually

16. Nonsexual Ways To Show Love & Affection
Make your partner feel special
Find hobbies to do together
Get to know the person you’re interested in
Spend together & show respect for each other
Closeness & caring are as important as sexual attractiveness.

17. “Everyone Is Doing It”
The reality is that a majority of teens in high school choose abstinence
Abstinence allows you to:
Allows you to be in charge of your future
Makes many options possible
Allows you to protect your health
By practicing abstinence, you will be able to finish your education & prepare for your career.