The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unwanted Pregnancy released their "With One Voice" survey in December. Here are some results.
Teens spend considerable time consuming media—nearly 45 hours a week according to one credible estimate. Given all the time young people spend with media, it is not unreasonable to conclude that media helps shape the social script for teens. Many adults believe that the media has contributed mightily to a coarser, more sexualized culture that has, in turn, negatively influenced young peoples’ attitudes and beliefs regarding sex and related topics.
Most teens (79% of girls and 67% of boys) agree with the following statement: “When a TV show or character I like deals with teen pregnancy, it makes me think more about my own risk of becoming pregnant/causing a pregnancy and how to avoid it.” Did your pregnant daughter think her chances of teen pregnancy were high before she became pregant?
Three-quarters of teens (76%) and adults (75%) say that what they see in the media about sex, love, and relationships can be a good way to start conversations about these topics. Yet when asked, "How often would you say you and your parents have talked about sex, love, and relationships because of something you saw in popular media like television shows?" Only 14% of teens say their parents Often talk to them about sex, love and relationships because of something you saw in the media; 33% of teens say Sometimes; 33% say Rarely, and 19% say Never. Which category do you think you fit in? Which category do your kids think you fit in?
Among those teens who have watched MTV’s 16 and Pregnant, 82% think the show helps teens better understand the challenges of teen pregnancy and parenthood and how to avoid it. Have you watched this show with your family? Do you think it fairly shows the challenges of teen pregnancy and parenthood? What does your pregnant daughter think about the teen parents in the show? How does she think she will avoid or overcome the challenges they face?
When asked how they would react to getting pregnant/causing a pregnancy, 24% of girls and 22% of boys said “it would make my life a little more challenging, but I could manage.” About seven in ten (69% of girls and 71% of boys) said “it would be a real challenge and I’m not sure how I would manage.” Which statement does your pregnant daughter agree with more?
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