78% of all new mothers in Bangkok are students

[george]

Most young mums still schoolgirls

BANGKOK: -- Almost 78 per cent of young mothers in Bangkok became pregnant while they were school students, research has found.

Passanant Assawarak, of King Mongkut's University of Technology Thon Buri, carried out an in-depth study subsidised by the National Culture Commission of mothers in several emergency homes for girls in the capital.

It found 43 per cent were aged between 14 and 20 and got pregnant after sex with high-school boyfriends. A further 34.7 per cent were under 14 and in primary education, while others were

vocational students, university students, or uneducated.

Some 70 per cent were first-time mothers, while 14 per cent were victims of sexual assault.

Prisana Pongthadsirikul, secretary-general of the Commission, told a press conference yesterday that 34.7 per cent of their partners were high-school boys, 24 per cent were in primary education, 10 per cent were vocational students.

Most of the mothers said they did not dare to have an abortion, but 21 per cent admitted they had attempted to abort the babies but failed.

The poll also found 3,200 out of 10,373 people calling a Child Protection Foundation hotline were pregnant students. Some said they wanted to commit suicide.

-- The Nation 2006-08-31

[LaoPo]

Most young mums still schoolgirls

BANGKOK: -- Almost 78 per cent of young mothers in Bangkok became pregnant while they were school students, research has found.

Passanant Assawarak, of King Mongkut's University of Technology Thon Buri, carried out an in-depth study subsidised by the National Culture Commission of mothers in several emergency homes for girls in the capital.

It found 43 per cent were aged between 14 and 20 and got pregnant after sex with high-school boyfriends. A further 34.7 per cent were under 14 and in primary education, while others were

vocational students, university students, or uneducated.

Some 70 per cent were first-time mothers, while 14 per cent were victims of sexual assault.

Prisana Pongthadsirikul, secretary-general of the Commission, told a press conference yesterday that 34.7 per cent of their partners were high-school boys, 24 per cent were in primary education, 10 per cent were vocational students.

Most of the mothers said they did not dare to have an abortion, but 21 per cent admitted they had attempted to abort the babies but failed.

The poll also found 3,200 out of 10,373 people calling a Child Protection Foundation hotline were pregnant students. Some said they wanted to commit suicide.

-- The Nation 2006-08-31

Serious and scary stuff; it also shows that there is a huge gap/lack in sexual education to youngsters by the parents as well as on schools.

Time for the (large) condom manufacturers to step in and 'teach'!

Mr. Durex (and others): DO something!!.... for the sake and future of the Thai youngsters (especially the girls..).

Shame on the Government.

LaoPo

[farangsay]

It's the 14% who were victims of sexual assault which shocks me !

[britmaveric]

It's the 14% who were victims of sexual assault which shocks me !

Thought it would be much higher, but then again lot prob goes unreported.

[wolf5370]

Almost 78 per cent of young mothers in Bangkok became pregnant while they were school students, research has found.

Who undertook the research? What was the aim of the research? How was the research conducted?

Not sure how much I trust a report in a news paper that does not clarify at least who undertook the research and why. Its easy to extrapolate figures into the most shocking results if the research target group is small enough and biased - eg if it was conducted by the reception desk of an abortion clinic specialising in young girls, etc.

Having said that, if these are kosher figures, then it horrifying in the extreme and then some.

34.7% are illegal (below age of consent) and some of the rest too (age of consent being 15 and banding at 14). 14% pregnant by rape. My word talk about a land in crisis. Some serious improvements in sex education, availability of morning after pill and condoms and specialist rape centres are definitely called for - forget wasting money on hiring thugs to beat crap out of the opposition, how about some money to protect the innocent?

[retiree]

This headline:

"78% of all new mothers in Bangkok are students"

has nothing to do with the story. Yes, if you do a

survey in:

"several emergency homes for girls in the capital"

you will probably tend to find young mothers.

[VanZam]

Just more biased research.. I agree with the above.. of course you will find young mothers in "emergency homes" around Bkk, what did they expect to find?

The statement that "78% of all new mothers in Bangkok are students" is total rubbish.

[cbatson]

Care is needed when interpreting this information, especially without reading the actual study. It's described as an "in-depth study ... of mothers in several emergency homes for girls in the capital." Clearly a study involving the population subset of girls in emergency homes will not be representative of the general population. In particular, this does not mean that 78% of new mothers in Bangkok are school girls. (Is anyone surprised to find a high ratio of school students in an "emergency home for girls"?) The information can be useful, so long as it is taken in proper context.

Chuck

[Ijustwannateach]

For some reason, social research on controversial topics seems to get easily twisted here in Thailand- there's this other survey about HIV prevalence in gay men that keeps getting quoted as somehow proving that 17% of gay men in Thailand are HIV positive. When you look at the details, it turns out that all the survey respondents were coming out of saunas, working in bars, hanging out in cruising areas, etc.- very high risk respondents, in other words.

I agree, too, that the conclusion of the research seems like rubbish. Maybe 78% of young mothers in emergency homes are students, and they have good reason to be there- it's a serious matter if you're a student and become pregnant. Think 1950s'- you've disgraced the family and the schools REQUIRE you to drop out. Never mind that a man was involved in there somewhere (including the incidence of rape). So you're a young mother whose family will be angry at you, and you're NOT ALLOWED to pursue one of the few things that might help you get ahead (i.e., education). Talk about being hosed.

Underage pregnancies are very common here. A counsellor and fellow teacher at a school I worked at told me she had to deal with Matthayom *1* girls (that's like 12-13 years old) becoming pregnant. It is a bit of a taboo topic to mention this social problem, but the culprit is as often a family member as a friend- I'm not surprised by the rape statistics, either. Rape does not appear to be fully recognised, IMHO from reading Thai news and viewing Thai media, as a criminal act by Thai society (that's Thai *society*, not Thai *law*).

Anyway, it is a very serious problem. We have sex education in our school that's at least the equivalent of the same in a Western school, but that only works on the students, not the society around them.

"Steven"

[deminister]

If the figures are true, and IF is the buzz word here, the 14% sexual assault figure and the figure of under 14 are scary. But I distrust this research very much, maybe someone can tell me WHY a Technology University and not just a University but THE university of technology in Thailand is doing this kind of research? These figures are worthless without knowing the margin of errors, and having the questions, as well the way research has been done. I would like to see the figures of the PAO's rather than these figures. This research stinks.

[chuchok]

Serious and scary stuff; it also shows that there is a huge gap/lack in sexual education to youngsters by the parents as well as on schools.

Time for the (large) condom manufacturers to step in and 'teach'!

Mr. Durex (and others): DO something!!.... for the sake and future of the Thai youngsters (especially the girls..).

Shame on the Government.

LaoPo

According to the world authority(wifie), most kids do know about condoms,STD's and pregnancy. They just chose not to wear connies , 'cause it doesn't feel as good as bareback.

Edited August 30, 2006 by chuchok

[pjallittle]

Anyway, it is a very serious problem. We have sex education in our school that's at least the equivalent of the same in a Western school, but that only works on the students, not the society around them.

"Steven"

We had zero sex education in my schooldays. Out of a graduating class of about 200, there was just one pregancy. Of course, that was many decades ago but it's a testament to the notion that our societies of today have taken a dramatic downturn with very little hope in sight.

[Rinrada]

Most young mums still schoolgirls

BANGKOK: -- Almost 78 per cent of young mothers in Bangkok became pregnant while they were school students, research has found.

Which means that 22% didnt.....so does that means they are the "nice girls"...daft innit

[Tyfon]

Just from this article, it seems that the population studied was that of the emergency homes and therefore not of "all new mothers in Bangkok" as the 'shock-horror' headline states. This would skew the population towards a younger median than the general population of new mothers.

Furthermore, that 70% of the population were first-time mothers would skew the range and the 78% schoolchildren becomes more credible, though it implies that 8% of the school-agers were not pregnant for the first time (!).

Finally the definition of 'school' seems to include up to university level (20y), broadening the spread of the population in comparison to Western definitions of school age (up to ca 16y).

This is poor journalism, written by someone driven by brevity and impact, possibly not taking the time to fully understand and therefore incapable of presenting a complete picture.

If someone finds an English copy of the original report, I'd be glad to summarise it properly.

[ybop]

The title of this thread is incorrect and misleading. It is NOT 78% of NEW mothers but 78% of YOUNG mothers! What constitutes a "young mother"?? If it is any mother under 18 then it is hardly surprising that most of them are students because most women under 18 are students! I suspect in the USA or UK or most western countries the figure for new mothers under 18 who are also students would be closer to 90% so viewed in context this figure for thailand is not shocking at all.

Just journalists making up a story out of nothing.

[Mr_Pedantic]

You also can't go by percentages 78% of 10 is 8?? well nearly.

[LAWMAN]

As far as the pollsters and Statisticians are concerned 3 out of 4 people make up 75% of the population.

[nikster]

The title is misleading in the extreme, making it sound like it's 78% of all mothers, which it isn't:

Almost 78 per cent of young mothers in Bangkok became pregnant while they were school students, research has found.

.

So if you take all "young" mothers (criteria undefined - < 18?), then 78% of those are in school. 14% through rape sounds crazy, but I have absolutely no faith in this study.

Don't believe any statistic you didn't fake yourself...

Edited August 30, 2006 by nikster

[Considered Opinion]

Almost 78 per cent of young mothers in Bangkok became pregnant while they were school students, research has found.

Who undertook the research? What was the aim of the research? How was the research conducted?

Naturally Wolf, being as busy as you obviously are, you probably missed para 2 where it not only says who, but gave their qualifications.

Perhaps when responding in high dudgeon to these things, you would do well to apply the adage "Better to keep silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt".

Considered Opinion

[IsaanAlex]

I disregarded the 'study' as soon as I read it's heading.

BANGKOK: -- Almost 78 per cent of young mothers in Bangkok became pregnant while they were school students, research has found.

They are saying that almost 78 per cent of young mothers...became pregnant while they were school students.

So I am assuming the whole study already is skewed by concentrating on only a select sample.

Because if they only looked at 'young mothers' between the ages of 14-20, for example..what the hel_l else would they expect that the majority would be schoolgirls.

Only a minority would have graduated or been dropouts...

Another crap study...

Most of the mothers said they did not dare to have an abortion, but 21 per cent admitted they had attempted to abort the babies but failed.

This is the real study here.

When I hung out with bargirls *no shame* I couldn't believe how many times I heard the stories of so-and so who got pregnant, but didn't want the baby,...so trued to self-abort through drink, drugs, beating their stomachs, etc.

Animals.

And how many of these young girls will be working in the bars, soapies or brothels, within 2 years of having their kids, I wonder?

IA

Edited August 30, 2006 by IsaanAlex

[wilko]

Anyway, it is a very serious problem. We have sex education in our school that's at least the equivalent of the same in a Western school, but that only works on the students, not the society around them.

"Steven"

We had zero sex education in my schooldays. Out of a graduating class of about 200, there was just one pregancy. Of course, that was many decades ago but it's a testament to the notion that our societies of today have taken a dramatic downturn with very little hope in sight.

Assuming that half the class were boys that's a 1% pregnancy rate! What age group?

Edited August 30, 2006 by wilko

[roy deacon]

What rubbish where do they get the information from.Next they will be naming Garry Glitter as the father of the kids for the 14 yr olds.

[Martin]

Yes, that April Fool's story sorted out the cool from the gullible!!!

But that is the danger with this appalling example of unprofessional EDITING. (It is editors and sub-editors who add the headline to the story---presumably because they are supposed to be more experienced and wiser than the reporter, and because it is the headline that gets absorbed by the gullible (many of whom never read even one sentence of the story).

On sex education, we western-centrics shouldn't be hasty to praise the sex education given in the West. In my experience, it is often only the biology of the reproductive organs. And even that leaves out the contribution of the most important organ---the brain.

I have yet to find a biology book for students that mentions the most important fact that both girls and boys need to have dinned into them in the hope that they will remember it when lust starts.

The young male emerges from puberty with a penis that is erectible, and a brain that is able to think. But he has insufficient blood for both to happen at once.

[Nemo.]

hummm so shocking that 78% of teenage girls are school girls!

I blame all the farang sexpat teachers getting them preggers and all other farangs for lowering moral standards in Thailand. Flog em and kick em out! Make all teachers have sex background checks! Its all teh farangs fault along with poverty in Thailand, traffic jams...........

Or is it because sex education in hailand is copies of porn movies and a naked rumble in the bushes (happened a lot at my old school)?

[brahmburgers]

It's the 14% who were victims of sexual assault which shocks me !

It's the 14% who were victims of sexual assault which shocks me !

Thought it would be much higher, but then again lot prob goes unreported.

Either Ive read this wrong or this survey is complete and utter nonsense!

34% of new mothers in Bangkok are 13 years old and under!!!!!!

it said 34% of new mothers in Bangkok are under 14 - get your numbers straight.

....even it it's 3% it's a scary number. Another questionable number is the "14%" who suffered sexual assault. We all know that sexual assault is not something a girl wants to come out and admit publically - so the number is likely quite higher. Plus, girls often don't even know (or admit to themselves) that they were heavily coerced, drugged or assaulted for sex. Yes, education should be everywhere - for girls boys and parents. consequences for assaulting males should be severe - and include the boys parents/guardians. abortion and contraceptive should be readily available. ...very serious stuff - traumatizing girls for life, and bringing in millions of unwanted and fatherless kids - many of whom will doubtless continue the cycle.

Edited August 31, 2006 by brahmburgers

[Dradam]

I am actually pleased with this. It means that despite the fact that they became pregnant at a very young age they are still in school. Isn't that right? They weren't polling women past their teenage years.

How about these results? 98% of women who are pregnant under age 20 are considered teenagers.

98% of statistics are simply made up.

[geovalin]

Either Ive read this wrong or this survey is complete and utter nonsense!

34% of new mothers in Bangkok are 13 years old and under!!!!!!

This is another example of a nonsense survey carried out in Thailand!

98% of all surveys you read in the Bangkok Post or Thai Visa are fundamentally flawed!

The survey is ridiculous and the way the article had been written is scandalous BUT this is not Bangkok Post or Thai Visa. THIS IS THE NATION.

Since 20 years, I heard that the Nation should be more serious than Bangkok Post. Bullshit! When it's time to write stories about sex ans society, THE NATION is far worst than any English tabloid. Nothing to believe in this cabbage leaves.

[Phil Conners]

Hardly surprising with the attitude the govermnent has to sexual education (i.e. keep it secret, surely kids aren't going to find out about the fun parts of life themselves. Yah right)

[navajo]

Most young mums still schoolgirls

BANGKOK: -- Almost 78 per cent of young mothers in Bangkok became pregnant while they were school students, research has found.

Passanant Assawarak, of King Mongkut's University of Technology Thon Buri, carried out an in-depth study subsidised by the National Culture Commission of mothers in several emergency homes for girls in the capital.

It found 43 per cent were aged between 14 and 20 and got pregnant after sex with high-school boyfriends. A further 34.7 per cent were under 14 and in primary education, while others were

vocational students, university students, or uneducated.

Some 70 per cent were first-time mothers, while 14 per cent were victims of sexual assault.

Prisana Pongthadsirikul, secretary-general of the Commission, told a press conference yesterday that 34.7 per cent of their partners were high-school boys, 24 per cent were in primary education, 10 per cent were vocational students.

Most of the mothers said they did not dare to have an abortion, but 21 per cent admitted they had attempted to abort the babies but failed.

The poll also found 3,200 out of 10,373 people calling a Child Protection Foundation hotline were pregnant students. Some said they wanted to commit suicide.

-- The Nation 2006-08-31

[fruittbatt]

The research is certainly questionable and the report sensationalist, but reading this report and an earlier thread about the incidence of unwanted pregnancies raises many issues which seem to need urgent attention and government funding.

There seems to be an overdue need for school-based sex ed programs & frank, open info about abortion:

It is significant that young women cited in the survey were too afraid to seek an abortion, but had not been too afraid of the real risks of STDs through unprotected sex.

It also seems a dangerously skewed perspective when young women do not mention their fears of being raped by relatives or friends, yet express their fear of abortion.

What really seems to be at issue here is the position of women in Thai society. There are so many intelligent, hard-working, and beautiful Thai women yet there are evidently some very deep inequities at work in Thai society, which are difficult to locate. Why is it that many women accept a situation where men have no responsibilities for the kids they father? Why are Thai men not held more accountable for providing maintenance for children?