Teen Pregnancy- It is not the typical topic of conversation for a communication expert, but maybe it should be. This week Chicago is turning heads with it’s new anti-teen pregnancy ad campaign. The ads feature teenage boys with swollen bellies and the slogan: “UNEXPECTED?” The campaign aims to remind the community, specifically the teens themselves, that teenage pregnancy affects the child, the mom, AND the dad.
Over the past few years there have been several controversial ads that speak out about teen pregnancy, in both education and prevention. In 2009 Milwaukee used similar pictures, and a different slogan: “It shouldn’t be any less disturbing when it’s a girl.” Both ads are jarring— whether flipping through a magazine or driving down the street. And that is precisely the goal: stop people in their tracks and create awareness of a trend in our nation that is causing distress across society.
The sad truth is that even though the rates of teen pregnancy are dropping, they are still too high. So what does this mean for you? As a parent, you have actions you can take to set your child up for success. And it all begins with communication.
No, I am not saying to sit your five-year-old down and talk to them about teen pregnancy. But you can build your little one up in a way that fosters success and ensures that they stay on the right path.
So get ready for some helpful tips with a lifetime of rewards!
Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem: Children and “youth whose parents exhibit love, responsiveness, and involvement tend to have higher levels of self-esteem and internal self control.” High self-esteem is linked to decreased emotional problems, greater security, lower rates of addiction (food/drugs/alcohol), and even increased resistance to peer pressure. Self-esteem is the way we view ourselves. Help your children have a clear view of how valuable they are to you, to society, and to themselves. Tell them. Focus on your children’s strengths and foster a skill they love: writing, music, performance, or sports to name a few. It may take some time to discover what it is, but even this search will reap rewards and provide opportunities for connections with your child.
Celebrate the successes and the failures: Your child may excel, fail, or land somewhere in between the two, depending on the obstacle. Celebrate the successes, and don’t shy away from the setbacks. Discussing what happened, why it happened, and how it can be done differently next time, increases your child’s self esteem. These discussions also allow for a safe place to make mistakes. You can give your child a healthy view of mistakes: setbacks happen, sometimes they can be prevented, and it’s possible to recover. Often times when we only focus on the successes, children learn that failure is final. And it is not. Setbacks often inform our next action.
Encourage Time with Dad- Children whose fathers spend time with them outside the home: picnics, movies, sports, etc., earn better grades in school. And that isn’t all. The greater Dad’s involvement is, the lower the level of adolescents’ behavioral problems, both in terms of aggression and antisocial behavior, as well as negative feelings such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Talk about setting your child up for success! Help create time and space for Dad to spend with the kids. Eat together regularly, let Dad help with homework, or encourage a day trip to a park— just Dad and the kids.
Discuss Sexual Behavior– Obviously wait until your child is at an appropriate age, and ready for this type of a discussion. The hard truth is that kids will talk to each other- whether parents discuss sexual behavior with them or not. Did you know children whose parents discussed sexual behavior standards with them are more likely to be abstinent? I know it can be a tricky subject. I encourage you to sit down with your spouse and decide what is right for you and your family.
As a parent, our job is so complex! It is filled with lots of love and hugs, but there are difficult parts too. The power is in your hands. Make a decision to foster deeper communication with your little ones. Creating a safe and trusting environment will go a long way in ensuring that your children freely become who they are in the most effective and safe way. My hat’s off to you; just reading this article proves that you are a dedicated parent.