There’s no point in beating around the bush, most teens nowadays are sexually active. Â Teen pregnancy rates definitely have gone down over the years, but not enough. Â Teens are still getting pregnant and their futures are typically crushed, and usually if the child isn’t given up for adoption they don’t have the best life either.
There are so many shows nowadays that exploit teen pregnancy, making it look desirable almost. Â From the Teen Mom series, to 16 and Pregnant, to even My Teen is Pregnant and So Am I, teen pregnancy is being glorified and displayed for the public. Â Having just turned 16 myself, I certainly don’t want this for myself, and I don’t think I would wish it on anyone else either.
I’m not saying nothing good can come out of teen pregnancy, my step dad was a teen pregnancy and he is an incredibly successful man, and his parents are still happily married, but unfortunately that’s not usually the case. Â A lot of times these children don’t have the best life, they may only have one parent, or they may even follow in their parent’s footsteps. Â They aren’t always stuck with a terrible life, but more often than not they aren’t exactly in the best circumstances.
Keeping that in mind, many teens get caught up in the moment and forget to use contraception. Â Whether you use condoms, birth control pills, or even both, you need to remember it. Â At 16 or 17 most of us are not mature enough to raise a child. Â My mother’s rule was always to wait to have sex until I was old enough to have a child and I think it is a very good rule to live by; since many teenagers aren’t even responsible enough to remember a condom, they certainly aren’t responsible enough to raise a kid.
As women, we have to take the upper hand and protect ourselves.  If you are in a relationship and you think you are ready to take it to the next level, get on the pill first. There are many types of forms of the pill, from a daily pill to a shot every few months, to an implant every few years.  Whatever you choose, start it before you do the deed.  And always remember that women get pregnant, not men.  So even if you aren’t on the pill, make your man wrap up because you are the one paying for the mistake you may make.
If you don’t feel comfortable talking to your mother about going on the pill, you can always talk to a close family friend or an aunt and ask them to keep it confidential. Â If this doesn’t work, or if your mother says no to the pill, you can always have a friend with a license drive you, or drive yourself if you can, and go to a local Planned Parenthood or another local clinic and talk to them. Â A lot of the time you can even get birth control there from them for a very low cost, or even for free. Â They also give out condoms as well. This way you have no excuse for being unprotected.