Monday, May 10, 2010
Teen Pregnancy in Lee County
The State Center for Health Statistics has Lee County ranked as the 8th highest county in NC for teen pregnancy rates. Lee County had 174 teen pregnancies with 57 repeat pregnancies in 2009. To assist teens in making proud choices the Lee County Health Department has a Family Planning Clinic geared towards teenagers. The local health department has a staff ready and able to assist all citizens!
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What is needed is people who have experienced a teen pregnancy themselves in order to reach other teens. Almost 20 years ago, I had a daughter when I was 17. If anyone had brought me to a clinic, such as the one mentioned, I would have not only thought they were idiots that couldn't understand, I would have been resentful for even being there. Teenagers tune out adults who cannot empathize. I speak with a lot of my daughter's friends and they talk to me because I can relate without being judgmental. I get an earful of what parents are doing wrong with their own children and why their kids will not communicate with them. I offer advice that makes it easier to make the right decisions while allowing them to feel they're still in control. Unless their Family Planning Clinic staff has experienced being teen moms themselves and the consequences of being one, I truly believe their lessons will fall on deaf ears. I think what would better serve the community would be a program to teach parents how to effectively communicate with their children.
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