You
can make a conscious choice as to whether you are ready to bring
a child into the world.
It
is not wise to do this if you are still in your teenage years.
Parenting
is a long-term commitment and an enormous responsibility – many
adults are unprepared for this. Many say that if they had any
idea about what child rearing involved they would not have had
children. For others having a child is the best thing they ever
did.
Make
responsible choices around your fertility to avoid unplanned
pregnancy.
Find
a method of birth control/contraception that suits you before
becoming sexually active.
Educate
yourself before choosing any one method – read books, check
out the Internet. It is also advisable to see a health care
practitioner.
If you
are petting – kissing, touching, fondling and there is no contact
of penis with vagina, the female cannot become pregnant. If
there is penis to vagina contact, live sperm in the male’s fluids
can be transferred and a female can become pregnant, even if
he doesn’t come (ejaculate) and even without full erection or
penetration.
You
may be uncomfortable talking about contraceptive methods with
your partner. He or she may be unwilling to take precautions.
If this is the case why are you choosing to be sexually active
and running the risk of unwanted pregnancy?
By
taking responsibility together for contraception you can create
a strong bond and closeness with your partner.
It can
bring confidence and safety into your relationship.
TAKE
RESPONSIBILITY …
for
your own fertility. Do this even if your partner is willing
to take care of his or hers.
Janine
decided that she was ready to become sexually active when she
was seventeen. She also made a decision that she would not make
love with any man that she would not be willing to have a child
with if this accidentally happened. It took her three years
to find such a man. That is taking full and conscious responsibility
for her fertility!
Be conscious
about your fertility as a young woman and take responsibility
for your sperm as a young man.
If it
is challenging for you to get to a doctor or clinic because
you: live in a remote area, prefer that no one knows, are embarrassed
or uncomfortable, have other personal reasons, are having underage
sex (which is against the law), then look in your local library
for books or on the Internet for Websites on Birth Control/Contraception.
You may know a nurse, an aunt or uncle, a school counsellor
or someone nearby who you can trust – ask for information. Make
sure you are fully informed.
It is
cool to be in charge of your body and uncool to become pregnant
or get someone else pregnant when you are not ready. Take care
of yourself... Sexual intercourse is Natur e’s way of making
babies.
| Read
more about teen contraception from Amritas Book page 161
"Getting Real" by clicking on the icon right. |
|
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