Policy and program considerations for teenage pregnancy prevention: a summary for policymakers
Weed, S.E.; Olsen, J.A.
International Review 13(3-4): 267-293
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 1054-0679 PMID: 12179694 Document Number: 376183
The purpose of this article is to help policymakers formulate appropriate and effective public policy to prevent teenage pregnancy by providing an overview of the problem, and program prevention and summarizing evaluative results, where data are available. It is pointed out that failure to address philosophical or ideological underpinning early, explicitly, and empirically contributes to controversy and impedes lasting solutions. It is important to identify the appropriate stage for effective intervention or prevention, and the role and responsibility of government and families. There must be a balance between individual rights and social responsibility, and sensitivity to the processes of individual change. There is an appropriate form and context for expression of human sexuality. Criteria which identify effective solutions or legislation are as follows: 1) adolescent sexuality and pregnancy solutions must take into account adolescent behavior per se and determinants; i.e., future prospects, identify and control over their own lives, belief and value systems, and so on. 2) Solutions must account for the emotional, cognitive, and social development of adolescents. 3) Cultural diversity must be taken into account and capitalization on cultural deterrents to pregnancy. 4) An educational/informational approach is insufficient. 5) The medical-contraceptive model is also insufficient to deal with teenage sexuality. 6) Intervention should be initiated at the earliest stage of the problem behavior, and emphasize avoidance of sexual involvement and experimentation. 7) Parent involvement is crucial, and solutions should be broad based and cooperatively integrated between differing department. 8) Policy and program effectiveness requires evaluation. The social, psychological, and economic factors of teenage pregnancy must be recognized. Solutions must reflect the concerns for the total environment in which children live and concentrate on developing functioning adults, as an expansion of sexuality education and access to reproductive health care.