Corbin & Associates, Inc.

Lesson Plan of the Month

September 2001

Topic: Teen Pregnancy                                         Target Group: High School

Prepared By: Will Edwards                                  Agency: Ventura County Sheriff’s Dept.

Address: 3701 E. Las Posas Rd.                         Phone: (805) 388-5100

Camarillo, CA 93010

Objectives:

After this block of instruction the student will be able to:

    1. Describe the impact of teen pregnancy on the individual and/or society

    2. Discuss prevention and the myths about pregnancy

    3. List reasons teens become sexually active leading to pregnancy

    4. Recognize local resources involved with teen pregnancy and prevention

Introduction:

Get Will’s experience and background.

Body:

    I. Reasons Teens Become Sexually Active Leading To Pregnancy

        A. Curiosity

        B. Peer pressure/expectation of peers (Peers may not necessarily be sexually

            active but rumors or assumptions lead teens to believe they are. Teens

            become active to fit in).

        C. One may believe it’s what you are supposed to do when in love or to keep

            a partner.

        D. Sex constantly portrayed in media.

        E. Drug and alcohol abuse leads to diminished inhibitions causing teens to

            engage in sex when they normally would not have (1/3 of teen

            pregnancies occur when the teens were drinking alcohol).

        F. When decision is made to have sex the teens are irresponsible about birth

            control.

    II. Psychological Impact On Involved Teens and Family

        A. Feelings of depression, abandonment by peers, and failure

        B. Feelings of guilt and anxiety about future

        C. Mother may not want the baby

        D. Mother feels low self-esteem

        E. Anger and denial among partners and family

        F. Pressure on family

        G. Depression and guilt from decision to abort or offer child for adoption

    III. Physical Impact On Mother and Child

        A. Teen mothers experience higher instances of anemia and hypertension

        B. Babies are more likely to be premature and/or have a low birth weight

        C. Premature or low birth weight babies are more likely to be predisposed

            to mental retardation and brain damage

        D. Generally the younger the mother the more problems for the child

        E. Mother and baby suffer additional medical problems due to a lack of

            Nutrition and prenatal care due to denial

    IV. Financial, Social, and Educational Impact On Parents and Child

        A. 75% of unmarried teen mothers go on welfare within five years of birth

            of first child

        B. Less than 1/3 of teen mothers finish high school

        C. Pregnancy is leading cause of female student dropouts

        D. Social life ceases to exist for mother and or father

        E. Children of a teen parent are 50% more likely to repeat a grade

        F. Sons of teen parents are more likely to end up in prison

        G. Children of teen parents are more likely to be abused and neglected

    V. Societal Impact

        A. Teen pregnancy costs nation 7 billion dollars a year

        B. Over one million teens become pregnant every year

        C. 40% of teens under age 20 become pregnant at least once

        D. Teen pregnancy affects all ethnicity’s and social classes

        E. Higher incidents of abuse and neglect among teen parents

        F. Children of teen parents are more likely to fail in school, have mental

            problems and live in poverty which leads to many social problems

            including higher crime rates

    VI. Myths About Pregnancy

        A. Can’t get pregnant if;

            1. It’s your first time

            2. If you’re both virgins

            3. If guy pulls out

            4. If you have sex in a hot tub

            5. If girl douches after sex

            6. Girl is on her period

    VII. Prevention

        A. Abstain

        B. Make responsible decisions regarding sex and birth control

        C. Use birth control responsibly

        D. Don’t succumb to peer pressure

        E. Get active with sports, school, family (teens highly involved in these

            activities or have a strong attachment to parents are less likely to be

            sexually active)

        F. Communicate with your parents and/or counselors

    VIII. What To Do If You or Friend Become Pregnant

        A. Immediately talk with parent, counselor, or adult family member to

            Determine what best course of action is whether birth, adoption, or

            abortion

        B. Get informed. Prenatal care is crucial for mother and child’s mental and

            Physical health.

        C. If birth is chosen provide care, guidance, and reassurance.

        D. Set realistic goals for parents.

Review:

    1. Reasons teens become sexually active.

    2. Psychological impact on teens and family.

    3. Physical impact on teen mother and child.

    4. Financial, social, and educational impact on parents and child.

    5. Societal impact.

    6. Myths about pregnancy.

    7. Prevention.

    8. What to do if you or a friend become pregnant.

Practice:

Question & Answer Period

Discuss Any Further Myths They May Have Heard

Documentation and/or Resources:

Provide local resources, i.e., counseling, prevention groups, planned parenthood,

teen parenting programs, and teen