Teen pregnancy on the rise

By Helen Varley

In the last year there has been a rise in the number of teenage pregnancies, national statistics have shown.

Despite the Government’s plans to reduce numbers by 2010, new data shows that there were 42,918 conceptions in under 18s in 2007 – a rise of more than a thousand on the previous year.

The statistics also show that girls under 16 account for one of every 100 pregnancies in the UK.

Following newspaper coverage of Alfie Patten, the 13 year old ‘baby-faced’ father, the government has started a campaign to teach parents how to talk openly to their children about sex.

Sex education for adults

Talking to Your Teenager About Sex and Relationships will be available in 3,000 pharmacies across England from March 5. The brochure is part of an initiative by the Children’s Minister Beverley Hughes and will offer guidance on how to approach the subject of sex.

Mum of three Sarah Monteith, 35, confesses that when it comes to speaking frankly to her children about sex, she does not know where to begin.

“I am pretty scared about the whole process.” She said on trying to educate her nine year old daughter about sex. “I want her to be fully informed of what is about to happen but children of this age do have a tendency to shut off if information gets too uncomfortable.”

Siobhan Freegard, Netmums founder says: “Teenagers don’t want to listen to ‘fuddy duddy’ tell-you-what-to-do oldies, they will be much more receptive to a young mum who has been where they are and made a success of it.”

Overhaul

Netmums recently made Aimee Holme, 21, National Mum of the Year 2009 for her voluntary work teaching sex education workshops.

Aimee, who gave birth to twins at 17, thinks that sex education is in need of an “overhaul”:

“Young people need life skills. This would include sex - how a child is conceived, contraception in relation to preventing pregnancy as well as STIs, pregnancy and birth, how to care for a baby/child, rights and responsibilities,” she said.

Aimee thinks that Personal Health and Social Education (PHSE) should include teaching about money management, household maintenance and healthy eating.

To read Aimee’s story, click here.