PANEL ON

TEEN SEXUALITY

A panel of five teens (one male, and four female participants - one of whom was a teen mother) made a brief presentation to the Teen Pregnancy Committee.

The insights of the teens inspired committee members and validated the need for our continuing efforts. The following paraphrases some of the comments from the teens:

• Sex education in grade 9 is too late, many are already sexually active;
  
• Teens are under a lot of stress - not knowing where you stand - and sometimes they just feel like letting loose;
  
• It was no big deal getting pregnant, if it happens it happens;
  
• Life is so much more insecure than before;
  
• I don't think guys realize a lot of responsibility is on them;
  
• The ability to talk to your child starts early - the workshop for parents should focus on reaching parents of children ages 10 and 11;
  
• Parents need to be updated on what is available now;
  
• Sometimes friends give each other the wrong information;
  
• We need to be more concerned about getting teens to respect themselves rather than promote abstinence;
  
• Teens themselves have different values concerning sexuality; and
  
• You can tell a community cares about you when you have a group like this getting together because they care.