Parent, church involvement

Some students suggest that lack of parental involvement plays a role in teen pregnancies. Senior Shalina Sabih believes that when parents don’t discuss the potential consequences of unsafe sex, they are putting their kids at risk. 

“I believe that if children open up to their parents, it would also help out,” Sabih said. “I also feel like parents shouldn’t be as judgmental.”

Similarly, parent-based groups like Texas Values suggest that parents should be the primary educators of sex ed. They have also advocated for increased church involvement in teen pregnancy. 

“Churches need to be more involved as well to teach those they influence about God’s design for sex and the biblical purposes and beauty of sexual relationships between husbands and wives,” Fedrick stated. 

Major religious institutions have recently become more involved in sex ed and teen pregnancy prevention. The United Church of Christ now offers sex ed curriculums for Kindergarteners through adults, as well as one focused on HIV and AIDS awareness. 

Senior Kristine Chersey believes combining religion and teen pregnancy can have both positive and negative effects. 

“On one hand, it can promote abstinence and circumvent teen pregnancy,” Chersey said. “On the other hand, if someone doesn’t identify strongly with their religious institution, it can add a sort of external pressure when given the choice to have sex.”