According to the Commission on Population and Development (PopCom), there are around 1.2 million children having children over a 10-year period. About 30, 000 of these young mothers have repeated pregnancies. Moreover, PopCom Undersecretary and Executive Director V Juan Antonio Perez III said that teenage pregnancy causes P33 billion in economic losses.?Although it is incumbent upon the parents, guardians or those who exercise parental authority to properly raise their kids, all of us should exert effort in stopping teen pregnancies because, in one way or another, we are all affected by it.
Surely, a teenage girl who gets pregnant cannot support herself and her future baby, so the girl’s parents have no other choice but to provide for all the needs of their daughter and her child. What if the family is poor? How can they afford to feed and raise another human being?
Adolescent pregnancy is indeed one of the reasons why many families or communities remain impoverished.
What can we do to prevent teen pregnancies??As clichéd as it may be, parents should guide their children. They must set rules and be strict in implementing them. They should not allow or tolerate their children to engage in any romantic relationship until they finish college and find a stable job. The parents must have “bonding moments” with their kids to foster trust and confidence among themselves. For example, parents may inquire about their children’s personal lives during breakfast, lunch or dinner. Also, they must attend Sunday masses together. This will enable the children to establish their faith, lead a righteous life and be God-fearing people. Most importantly, the sanctity and the significance of marriage must be imparted by the parents to their sons and daughters.
Children spend ample time in schools, which makes the classroom the best place or avenue to discuss the consequences of early pregnancy (with our current situation now it can be through online platforms). It is crucial, therefore, for teachers, principals, guidance counselors, school administrators, etc. to educate the students about the importance of finishing their studies. – LEONARD KRISTIAN MESA GELACIO?Address: #7 Jose Lucas St., San Fermin, Cauayan City, Isabela?Contact No.: 0905-360-2766?Email: leonardkristianmesagelacio@gmail.com