Sex Education And The Age-Old Issue Of Teen Pregnancy: Thai Editorial

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Sex education and the age-old issue of teen pregnancy

The Nation February

BANGKOK: -- The authorities are more concerened with 'morality' than equipping young people with the knowledge necessary to make good decisions themselves

Valentine's Day should be an occasion to celebrate love and compassion. But in Thailand, this occasion is considered by some adults as a dreadful time when many young and underage girls become pregnant. The Police Department, for instance, has enforced a 10pm curfew for people aged below 18 on Valentine's Day. At the same time, the Public Health Ministry has spent Bt60 million to buy 60 million condoms for young lovers this week.

These actions, the agencies claim, are meant to protect our teenagers from unwanted pregnancy and to promote safe sex. But they also reflect desperation on the part of the authorities.

There is a much better alternative to helping our youth deal with sexual issues. Proper sex education is more effective in helping teenagers deal with their changing hormones and equipping them with the good judgement necessary when they become involved in a sexual encounter.

While adults and conservatives are still arguing over the proper age of consent and the "proper content" in teaching young people about their sexuality, many youngsters have already experimented sexually. Their exposure to a sex-obsessed media has driven their curiosity, and we should not be surprised about this. However, our young people still don't have the proper experience and knowledge to be able to deal with the consequences when things go wrong. This is thanks to a lack of education on sexual matters.

Sex education in the school curriculum is either non-effective or non-existent. There is little help on offer in response to the issues of puberty and changing bodies. Adults tend to teach their children that abstinence is best, without giving them explanations or advice about sex and relationships.

On the contrary, educators, parents and conservatives tend to stereotype the problem of underage pregnancy as a question of morality. As a result, teenage mothers are usually unfairly punished by society, even though they have committed no crime.

Some schools do not hesitate to expel pregnant students, thus denying them the right to an education. Pregnant teens also face the wrath of their parents and neighbours for committing a disgraceful act. In many cases, these girls end up in shelters that do not have sufficient facilities or support for them to rise above the challenge. Children born to these mothers don't have an opportunity to grow up in a supportive environment because of the lack of preparation on the part of the young mother.

Those in authority may think that a curfew will help to prevent unwanted pregnancies. But this is a naïve attitude, and the statistics show otherwise. The number of underage mothers increases every year, and the reason is because adults don't teach young people to think for themselves.

Some conservatives still argue that sex education from an early age will encourage promiscuous sexual activity. But isn't it more important to teach young people about their bodies and their emotions? Students should learn about the use of contraception in preventing sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. Youngsters who are given a proper sex education are better able to cope with certain situations because they will have an idea of the consequences that may follow.

The best sex education should start at home, where youngsters feel free to address the questions of their curiosity with the people they trust most. It would be absolutely wrong for parents to dismiss these questions from their children.

But it is not children alone who should be educated. Some adults should be re-educated about the problem of underage pregnancy. Instead of preaching to students about morality and correct behaviour, our society has a duty to provide education for our youth, and a supportive environment when things go wrong. Young mothers are also entitled to have the opportunity to raise their children to become quality citizens of the future.

The widespread publicity given to the government agencies' morality campaign each Valentine's Day reflects a general lack of understanding of the issue. They somehow contrive to belittle young romance, even though the fundamental issue is how to educate our children properly about the natural process of growing up. Adults need to learn that the best approach is to provide youngsters with sufficient information to enable them to make the right decisions for themselves.

-- The Nation 2012-02-14

[jaltsc]

Today's Thai mainstream society is really on the ball.

"But in Thailand, this occasion is considered by some adults as a dreadful time when many young and underage girls become pregnant."

If they are old eough to conceive, obviously they are not "underage". Also...it is possible to concieve before 10 PM. And after 10 PM if you one happens to be older than 18.

I doubt that people will have sex on the streets. So, if you force young people to be inside after 10 PM, they will run out of conversation by 10:01. Then there are very few options for what to do. Perhaps, this curfew policy is actually promoting more sex.

"Their exposure to a sex-obsessed media has driven their curiosity". News Flash...teens were curious about sex before the advent of mass media. I believe that the people who lived in caves engaged in sex at an earlier age than the present population.

However, this article does have a point. The only way to change the present behaviors is through education. Not through law enforcement.

[sirchai]

Sex education in the school curriculum is either non-effective or non-existent

I'd go for the second......

[wolf5370]

Clamping down on underage drinking might help more. Does sex education work? Not sure, many western countries have sex education (some from primary level - 5 and 6 year olds up) - doesn't stop young pregnancy. What does is allowing childhood to last longer - these days everything from clothes to music to TV and films promote youngester to be young adults when they are bearly in their teens (or pre-teen). More emphasis in enjoying chilhood, more child related groups and activities (like proper scouts and girl guides and not this once a week dress in green and stand about in the sun twirling a white stick for 3 hours). If we push out kids into being adults too early, then that is how they will behave.

How often do we see young girls in traditional costume and made up to the hilt dancing in shopping malls, on TV and in the streets. Cute, sure, especially at 6 or 7 years old or younger - but at 12 they look like young women and see young men (and older too I guess) looking at them with lust rather than "ahhh ain't that cute" looks. Sexualise the children, make them think they are small adults and not kids, and they will become sexually active - they become preditory targets of young men and boys (let's face it boys have a much harder time controlling their hormones at this time of life - give a teenage boy the chance and he will be there!).

[BigJohnnyBKK]

Today's Thai mainstream society is really on the ball.

"But in Thailand, this occasion is considered by some adults as a dreadful time when many young and underage girls become pregnant."

If they are old eough to conceive, obviously they are not "underage".

What planet are you from? I'm sure they mean underage in the legal sense. Which here is a lot more up to local community mores and parent's discretion than national law, and enforced more through an informal system of civil fines and "shotgun marriages" than by the police.

I only wish more sensible people like the one who wrote this article were actually in charge, most Thai attitudes are completely irresponsible, both at the laissez-faire "that's just the way it is" bottom, and the hi-so public/official Victorian/religious moralist stance.

Bottom line comes down to parents, both in education and in supervision/enforcement. The government can only give a certain amount of appropriate assistance. Both sectors are woefully inadequate here, and we see the result everywhere.

BTW the comment about "most schools expel pregnant girls" really surprised me. I'd love to find a **single** example of a pregnant girl being allowed to continue her schooling, every conversation I've had on this topic implied that no family would even dare request such a thing, it's unheard of, of course a pregnant girl wouldn't be allowed to attend classes - including university!

[rmacdon61]

My step daughter is 13 going on 30. Mother had her baby at 22yrs with her first husband. She was a virgin at marriage but didn't really know about sex, hense the preg early in marriage. Now we have discussed her concern about her daughter with facebook, boys, internet sites et al. I suggest an open educational talk re: sex much to her shock! She feels if the daughter knows about sex, she'll want to try it. She feels that if we wrap the daughter in cotten, no problem? Maybe if we have her legs sewn together there is hope? I really think that we talk, we educate, then equip them for life, it's all we can do. I raised 2 daughters in the west, a real hair puller but they made choices based on knowledge and managed to remain baby free until (one only, other still single) with a partner. Mind you I was a police K-9 officer during this time, so had a gun and a fierce dog!!!!

[JohnAllan]

Condoms are not that expensive. The presumption that if the government provides the means, the kids will provide the will, is a fallacy. The issue is a combination of morality and education, not to say the age-old Thai approach to [non] common sense.

Morality, in that parents, doctors, teachers and officials should all be held liable - and given the tools and support necessary - for preventing under-age sex. Education - speaks for itself. Common sense? The function sadly lacking in the majority of Thai actions.

And when it comes to the three above points, I feel compelled to point out that I am a vociferous opponent of abortion on demand - the other sex-linked controversy - where there is no good reason - such as the health of the mother or the child, or rape is involved. Why? Because, in this day and age, if kids - or adults - want to experiment with something that is as old as Adam and Eve, in a time when there is absolutely no excuse for ignorance of action and reaction, they must learn to accept the consequences.

[rikkie]

Today's Thai mainstream society is really on the ball.

"But in Thailand, this occasion is considered by some adults as a dreadful time when many young and underage girls become pregnant."

If they are old eough to conceive, obviously they are not "underage".

What planet are you from? I'm sure they mean underage in the legal sense. Which here is a lot more up to local community mores and parent's discretion than national law, and enforced more through an informal system of civil fines and "shotgun marriages" than by the police.

I only wish more sensible people like the one who wrote this article were actually in charge, most Thai attitudes are completely irresponsible, both at the laissez-faire "that's just the way it is" bottom, and the hi-so public/official Victorian/religious moralist stance.

Bottom line comes down to parents, both in education and in supervision/enforcement. The government can only give a certain amount of appropriate assistance. Both sectors are woefully inadequate here, and we see the result everywhere.

BTW the comment about "most schools expel pregnant girls" really surprised me. I'd love to find a **single** example of a pregnant girl being allowed to continue her schooling, every conversation I've had on this topic implied that no family would even dare request such a thing, it's unheard of, of course a pregnant girl wouldn't be allowed to attend classes - including university!

Get a live, in my neighborhood parents talk about being close to there daughter 14, 15,16 i not like and i am married to thai lady. The sooner they have boyfriend the sooner they have more money, HEY its all about life... and money.

sex education starts from home, as much they love there kids as much they exploit them.

[DP25]

Sex education in the school curriculum is either non-effective or non-existent

I'd go for the second......

The fertility rate in Thailand is significantly lower than in the USA and some European countries, and the HIV infection rate is less than 10% of what it was in the 1990s, they must be doing something

[wolf5370]

Sex education in the school curriculum is either non-effective or non-existent

I'd go for the second......

The fertility rate in Thailand is significantly lower than in the USA and some European countries, and the HIV infection rate is less than 10% of what it was in the 1990s, they must be doing something

That depends - maybe they are doing nothing, but the west is getting worse - Infection rates will go down to some degree even if the infected volume stays the same, it was only in the 90's that they started diagnosing it here (at least en masse), as sex workers are the highest targets and once infected they are infected (and no longer on infection rates, but on infected volumes) - more modern drugs keep them alive longer (possible normal lifespan these days), so less "refill" to get infected. No stationg any of this as fact of course, just saying stats themselves, especially comparison stats, often tell us very little indeed.

[finnomick1]

Forget ' condoms are not expensive ', they should be free. How many kids can afford a packet of three out of their lunch money ? They're certainly not going to ask mum and dad for some extra cash !

My wife ( who is of course, Thai ) tells me that it is every ( read most ) Thai teenage girl's dream to go out on a date on Valentine's Day, and then get laid. How is anyone going to change this ? Education, punishment, curfues -- I don't think so and does anyone REALLY think a teenage girl is going to walk up to her parents and ask them what is the safest way to have sex. I don't know what the answer is but it doesn't seem to have been found yet.

Get ready for a huge influx of babies around the 14th of November.....

[TackyToo]

They argue sex education will only lead to teenage pregnancy and rampant sex, once the kids know how to do it!

That’s bull! Good examples are math education and social behavior classes!

[belg]

what do you want if those kids think they can use their empty bag of cola they bought at 7/11 as a condom....

[wolf5370]

what do you want if those kids think they can use their empty bag of cola they bought at 7/11 as a condom....

You don't get "bags of cola" at 7-11, they sell bottles - that would make some eyes water!

[DocN]

The more you demonize it or put a taboo on it, the more interesting it is for youngsters. This is a rule that is as old as mankind itself.

Bring it out in the open, educate about risks and precautions, drag it into the light!

This is the 21st century, <deleted>!

[ThaiSold]

Does anyone know where I can get a hold of the free condoms?

[DP25]

Here is a graph showing the fertility rate (average number of children per female) in Thailand over the past 50 years.

http://www.google.co...ion&hl=en&dl=en

It has gone from an average of over 6 children per female in 1960, to only 1.6 children per female in 2009. The US has 2.05 children per female. Clearly sex education has been working. For a population to not shrink it requires a rate of 2.1, so the Thai population is destined to begin shrinking eventually. As for teenage pregnancy, back home most of the chicks that get pregnant at 16 get an abortion, here most do not. Unless Thailand wants to make abortion more common that will not change.

[asupeartea]

I think that sex education is kept out of education to ensure a ready supply of unskilled single mothers needing to work in the sex trade.

[wolf5370]

Here is a graph showing the fertility rate (average number of children per female) in Thailand over the past 50 years.

http://www.google.co...ion&hl=en&dl=en

It has gone from an average of over 6 children per female in 1960, to only 1.6 children per female in 2009. The US has 2.05 children per female. Clearly sex education has been working. For a population to not shrink it requires a rate of 2.1, so the Thai population is destined to begin shrinking eventually. As for teenage pregnancy, back home most of the chicks that get pregnant at 16 get an abortion, here most do not. Unless Thailand wants to make abortion more common that will not change.

Is abortion even legal here? I know a girl that has had 3 abortions (she's not a kids - now in her 30's) but each time at a secret clinic - she believes they are illegal.

[wolf5370]

I think that sex education is kept out of education to ensure a ready supply of unskilled single mothers needing to work in the sex trade.

They don't need that - there already is, they do this by taking the "education" out of the education in state school - especially in poor areas - and making it nigh on impossible to afford to support a family in the traditional way.

[jambco984]

Think of all the emotional suppression the lovely Thai nation has to deal with, whether its on the streets, in there homes or even on the tv. Physical contact is a no no. Education is needed but who are we to say what they should be taught, "UPTO THEM" its my new swing on "UPTO YOU" It's the little cherubs choices after all.

On that note

Happy St Valentines Day

[dalsobrook]

The more you know the better you do. Sex education does not mean showing porn to kids, it doesn't mean giving kids permission to have sex whenever and whever. It means demystifying it, it means giving them facts and knowledge they can work with understand. Teenagers are teenagers no matter where in the world they are. The more the adults in their lives make sex taboo or wrong the more they want to do it. Hormones are hormones no matter the nationality. Education is the key to everything! Even sex.

[DP25]

Is abortion even legal here? I know a girl that has had 3 abortions (she's not a kids - now in her 30's) but each time at a secret clinic - she believes they are illegal.

It's legal for health reasons only, but that includes mental health for things like depression or stress. There are legal clinics where you can basically get abortion on demand, but many Thais don't know about them or they prefer to use illegal private clinics.

[HerbalEd]

Holland has sex education for children starting at a very early age .... and they have legalized prostitution. Any yet their teen-age pregnancy and sex crimes rates are far lower than the USA which frowns on early sex education and which outlaws prostitution. Maybe there's a lesson here.

[pattayadingo]

Here is a graph showing the fertility rate (average number of children per female) in Thailand over the past 50 years.

http://www.google.co...ion&hl=en&dl=en

It has gone from an average of over 6 children per female in 1960, to only 1.6 children per female in 2009. The US has 2.05 children per female. Clearly sex education has been working. For a population to not shrink it requires a rate of 2.1, so the Thai population is destined to begin shrinking eventually. As for teenage pregnancy, back home most of the chicks that get pregnant at 16 get an abortion, here most do not. Unless Thailand wants to make abortion more common that will not change.

Is abortion even legal here? I know a girl that has had 3 abortions (she's not a kids - now in her 30's) but each time at a secret clinic - she believes they are illegal.

Abortion is illegal except for medical reasons, yet I too know of 2 that have taken place. Usually at a local clinic.

But education has to be the key to preventing prgnancy. Unless they want a child.

Condoms are often seen as a bad thing. Why can the Thai authorities give free contraceptives out as they do in the U.K. for example after a consultation with the family planning advisor? Surely that has to be a cheap option too. Many contraceptives here are very cheap.

[tlansford]

Here is a graph showing the fertility rate (average number of children per female) in Thailand over the past 50 years.

http://www.google.co...ion&hl=en&dl=en

It has gone from an average of over 6 children per female in 1960, to only 1.6 children per female in 2009. The US has 2.05 children per female. Clearly sex education has been working. For a population to not shrink it requires a rate of 2.1, so the Thai population is destined to begin shrinking eventually. As for teenage pregnancy, back home most of the chicks that get pregnant at 16 get an abortion, here most do not. Unless Thailand wants to make abortion more common that will not change.

Thanks for the link.

Lots of data on the US teen pregnancies to be found, much less on Asia/Thailand.

But a report here http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/USTPtrends.pdf shows the US rate at 7% in 2006. It seems to have dropped somewhat in the last 5 years. I found another link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidemiology_of_teenage_pregnancy where they say that teen pregnancies in Thailand is 60/1000 = 6 %. Interesting.

The USA is not a good benchmark in teen pregnancy rates as it has the highest teen pregnancy rate among industrialized countries. Typical rates for teen pregnancy in Western Europe are from .5% (5 / 1000 - Netherlands) to 2.6% (UK) with many between 1-2%.

Sex education, access to contraceptives, and general education are effective in reducing teen pregnancies.

[anterian]

Female contraception just costs one Baht, clamp it firmly between your knees.

[tragickingdom]

I always thought that authorities where not concerned with morality at all. Look at their Benz that cost more money in petrol than they make legally. Never mind dear people under 18. Check into your hotel with your boy or girlfriend before 10pm to avoid impertinent question from police and authorities with a dirty mind.

[jsflynn603]

In my tiny American hometown we enjoy our history, though it only goes back to about 1760. We have a Historical Society and I used to run it. My second in command was a professor at Brown University, a fairly prestigious University and as part of her interaction with both her studies and the Historical Society she researched unwed pregnancies for a time period of around 1860-1880.

What she found was interesting: The rate of unwed pregnancies as a percentage of population was essentially the same in 1860-1880 as it was during 1970-1990.

In reality I believe that if a mother/father does not want their child to become an unintentional mother/father two things must occur.

First, parents of daughters should tell their daughter simply that they are the gatekeeper. That parents do not do this is to not empower the daughter. In many cases it is the male that makes the decision, and the female, who has not been told she is the gatekeeper, doesn't know how to prevent the act, even if prevention is as simple as saying: "I say when, where, and right now I say I'm not ready right now."

Secondly parents need to tell their sons that they will become economically responsible for the next 20 years if the son fathers a child, and make it clear that the parents will enforce this even if the Thai legal system does not.

Do these two things with your sons/daughters and about 80% of unwanted pregnancies will cease.

Edited February 14, 2012 by jsflynn603

[EvolvingApe]

Today's Thai mainstream society is really on the ball.

"But in Thailand, this occasion is considered by some adults as a dreadful time when many young and underage girls become pregnant."

If they are old eough to conceive, obviously they are not "underage". Also...it is possible to concieve before 10 PM. And after 10 PM if you one happens to be older than 18.

I doubt that people will have sex on the streets. So, if you force young people to be inside after 10 PM, they will run out of conversation by 10:01. Then there are very few options for what to do. Perhaps, this curfew policy is actually promoting more sex.

"Their exposure to a sex-obsessed media has driven their curiosity". News Flash...teens were curious about sex before the advent of mass media. I believe that the people who lived in caves engaged in sex at an earlier age than the present population.

However, this article does have a point. The only way to change the present behaviors is through education. Not through law enforcement.

The ultra conservative elements always point to new technology as causing these age old behaviors. First off with the comments you made, though, is your saying that a young girl who can conceive is 'of age.' and further that they were obviously so. This is not true. A 12 or 13 yr old child is biologically capable of conception. If you think 13 yrs old is 'of age' then I suggest that we meet f2f to discuss this issue, lol.

After addressing that, I lost interest in all the other things you had said...