Pregnancy prevention may be a topic many are uncomfortable addressing. Professionals may have concerns they will offend, cross a boundary, or send the wrong message when discussing this very important subject. This does not mean the message should be avoided. Addressing pregnancy prevention is essential when working with girls. Girls need accurate information and guidance from a trusted source.

Local Health Departments may be able to provide valuable information to both the professional as well as the girls.

This topic should be addressed in a professional, respectful manner with consideration to religious, cultural, and family beliefs.

When addressing pregnancy prevention, abstinence should be emphasized as a choice. Girls need to understand they have choices and the decision to be sexually active is theirs. The consequences of their decisions need to be reviewed to help them understand the magnitude of this decision. They need to understand they always have the right to say no.

Activities included in this section:

• Saying No (Handout)
• Statistics about Teen Pregnancy (Handout)
• Birth Control Information Links
• More Statistics about Teenagers and Sex (Handout)
• What Parents Can Do (Handout)
• Advice from Teens to Adults (Handout)
• Interview New Mom (Activity)
• Cost for Baby (Activity)
• Cost for Raising a Child (Handout)

Additional Information may be accessed by logging on to:
www.metrokc.gov/health/famplan/birthcontrol
www.TeenPregnancy.org
www.PregnancyPrevention.org