Essay on Teenage Pregnancy in High Schools

Introduction

The Oxford Dictionary defines teenage pregnancy as the pregnancy between girls ages 13 to 19. It is a global problem that has prompted numerous campaigns and public awareness efforts to reduce its prevalence. The number of adolescent pregnancies has been continuously increasing all over the globe. Like many Asian countries, the Philippines is also grappling with the same problem. In research from the Philippine Statistics Authority, The National Demographic and Health Survey (2013) stated that one out of five Filipina girls had already given birth or had their first child at ages 15 to 19. As a result, the Philippine Government shall resolve the said issue in collaboration with other aid agencies.

Teenage pregnancies are frequently linked to concerns of social development, such as the lack of adequate education and poverty. This often leads to single parenting, creating circumstances that cause moms to become negligent. As a result, they will experience a social stigma in many parts of the world.

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In a study made by UNESCO (2012) entitled “Sexuality Education in Asia and the Pacific,” sex education is defined as the programs and approaches that include life skills education, family life education, HIV prevention, and adolescent development education. Puberty, teenage health, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), and reproductive health are all being addressed in this discussion. It aims to give children and other people adequate knowledge to make conscious and respectful choices regarding their relationships, sexuality, and physical health, as stated by the World Health Organization (WHO).

In a study conducted by UNESCO in 2018, entitled “Why Comprehensive Sexuality Education is Important?” improving young people’s knowledge and attitudes regarding sexual and reproductive health and behaviors are the benefits of sex education. It does not affect the rates of sexual activity, risk-taking, or the incidence of STIs and HIV infection. The programs that focus on delaying sexual activity are effective. Sex education programs can result in positive outcomes such as delays in the initiation and reduction in the frequency of sexual intercourse and an increase in contraceptive use and other positive sexual behaviors that prevent adverse outcomes (UNESCO, 2012).

According to World Bank data, teenage pregnancy rates tend to be the lowest in European countries such as Italy, Germany, and Switzerland. Their approach to sex education proves pragmatic, as they place less emphasis on sexual risk and focus on teaching sex as a regular, healthy, and positive behavior. The United States, on the other hand, tends to teach oppressive and attentive stories. Many states rely on a temperament-only curriculum that prevents students from learning about pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Because of this, the government should note that this is not necessarily a causal link between sex education policy and the birth rate of teens, still, all students should be entitled to a piece of clear and comprehensive information about it.

As stated in the DepEd Order No. 31, S. 2018, the Department of Education has implemented Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in the Philippines at the elementary and junior high school levels. The implementation of CSE is limited to regions 1, 7, and 11, which have the highest teen pregnancy rate in the country (CNN Philippines, 2021). It is a curriculum-based process of changing knowledge and information between an educator and student about many aspects of sexuality, such as cognitive, emotional, and social (UNESCO, 2018).

Young people are still receiving confusing information regarding relationships and sex, which leads to more demand for reliable information that can prepare them for a safe and fulfilling life. The CSE aims to enable the youth to decide objectively about their relationships and sexuality. Having low-quality sex education may cause vulnerability to harmful sexual behaviors among children and youth. (UNESCO,2018)

The increasing pregnancy rate among teens is alarming to the government, and people should pay attention to it. Having Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE) in some country regions is not enough. The need for more profound knowledge about sex and its other aspects should be recognized. In this study, the researchers will know the perception of senior high school students in Central Luzon Doctors’ Hospital - Educational Institution regarding sex education and its implementation as a subject to the Philippine educational system under the senior high school curriculum.

Statement of the Problem

This research will study the perceptions of the senior high school students of Central Luzon Doctors’ Hospital – Educational Institution regarding sex education and its implementation as a subject to the Educational System. Specifically, it aims to answer the following questions:

What is the importance of sex education to the Philippine educational system?

1. regarding the practice of safe sex;
2. the proper use of contraceptives; and
3. the prevention of HIV and STDs

1. 1. How does the perception of SHS students affect the implementation of sex education as a subject?
   2. How will the implementation of sex education affect teenage pregnancy rates in our country?
   3. What recommendations can be drawn from this study?

Significance of the Study

The outcome of this study may yield important information. It would be a great help to know the perceptions of Senior High School students from Central Luzon Doctors' Hospital – Educational Institution regarding sex education and its implementation as a subject in the Philippine educational system. It may also be beneficial to the following:

For the students, to know the importance of sex education and how it will help prevent teenage pregnancy in our country. The outcome of this study might also encourage and motivate students to be more knowledgeable about sex and to know the importance of Sex Education in this generation.

For the parents, this study will give them knowledge about students' perception of implementing Sex Education as a subject in our Educational System. This study will also help the parents plan and help them discuss the importance of sex education to their children.

For the government, this study will give them ideas to make possible changes or reforms to the education system of our country regarding the implementation of sex education as a separate subject. Completing this study will serve as a guide for the government to find more solutions to said issues in our country.

For society, this study might be of great help, for it may identify the perceptions of Senior High School students in having sex education as a subject inside their curriculum. Whenever highly commendable research is produced shortly, society will benefit from it.

For future researchers, this study can help future researchers gain perceptions from the results of this study. They could use this as reference material for a more comprehensive investigation.

Scope and Delimitations

The coverage of this study is the perception of senior high school students of Central Luzon Doctors’ Hospital - Educational Institution regarding sex education and its implementation as a subject in the Philippine educational system. This study aims to know how the perceptions of senior high school students can affect the performance of sex education in the educational system in the Philippines. The study will include the importance of sex education and its possible positive outcomes if implemented.

The study is limited to the perception of senior high school students about sex education and its implementation in the educational system. The respondents will be limited to all female and male senior high school students of CLDH-EI ages 15-19, as comprehensive sex education has already been implemented for elementary and junior high school students. Responses recorded will be further analyzed to understand the students' perception and to know the importance of sex education in the Philippines.

Definition of Terms

To present the key concepts and terminologies essential to the study, the terms were defined according to their technical and functional meanings.

Contraceptive. A type of device or drug that prevents someone from getting pregnant. (Collins Dictionary) In this study, it refers to a device that is used during sexual intercourse to avoid teenage pregnancy.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It is an infection that attacks the immune system and weakens our body’s defense against many diseases and some types of cancer. This disease can be passed on from the exchanges of different types of blood fluids from individuals who got infected with this disease, such as blood, breast milk, semen, and vaginal secretions. (WHO, 2021) In this study, it refers to an illness that spreads from one person to another due to the lack of sex knowledge and contraceptives.

Perception. It is an idea, belief, or image that you have because of the way you see or understand something; how you perceive things, especially with your senses; and the ability to understand the true nature of something. (Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries) This study refers to the thoughts or opinions of Senior High School students about Sex Education and its implementation as a subject in the Educational System.

Puberty. It is when a child’s body starts to develop and gradually changes its body as an adult. The age for girls in puberty usually begins at the age of 11, while boys usually begin at 12. Girls tend to develop breasts and start to menstruate, while boys grow a deeper voice and facial hair. (NHS) In this study, it refers to teenagers being mature and open about sex.

Sex Education. It is the act of providing information about sex, sexuality, relationships, skills-building, and the physical development of a person. It also helps young people able to communicate about and make the right decisions regarding sex and their sexual health. (Advocates for Youth) It refers to a subject that will help teenagers get more profound knowledge about Sex and prevent teenage pregnancy.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). These are diseases that can be passed through sexual contact with another person like vaginal, oral, and anal sex. There’s also a possibility to spread through other contacts, like heavy petting. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021) This study refers to one of the causes of unsafe sex and one of our country's most serious health problems.

Teenage pregnancy. A teenage girl who becomes pregnant is typically between the ages of 13-19 or someone who still hasn't read to adulthood, which varies in other countries. (BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth) This study refers to one of the most serious public health problems for teenagers, being parents at a young age because of a lack of profound knowledge about sex.