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.
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