Teenage pregnancy analogy
The causes of teenage pregnancy are much like the reasons that teenagers drive recklessly -- teenagers have trouble seeing beyond the needs of the moment, and their immediate satisfaction. Teens feel as if they are adults, because of the tremendous hormonal and emotional shift that occurs with adolescence. They are angry when adult rules and laws attempt to hem them in. They chafe at even the most reasonable safety requirements, in an attempt to show their independence. But the more they attempt to act like an adult, either by breaking speeding laws, or having sexual relations before they are mature enough to take appropriate precautions, the more they show their essential immaturity.
Additionally, teens who are depressed, in search of an identity, or who are self-destructive as a way of coping with life's challenges may use either parenthood or...
But rather than catapulting them into their future, it instead limits their life choices, or ends their life entirely.
Instead of demonizing sexuality, it is important to help teenagers understand the consequences of their behaviors, even if teens face developmental, cognitive obstacles that adults do not face in understanding the ramifications of negative behaviors because their brains are not fully mature. Having teen parents talk to students, having students care for real or false 'babies' (such as the 'treating a flour bag like a child' assignment conducted at some schools), and having an honest dialogue about teen struggles with their sexual identity, are all better deterrents than abstinence-only curriculums.
