I had all sex ed. It did not stop me from having sex. So I don't know if sex ed is what every student needs. I think it is better to give us information of where to get questions answered when we have sex questions. Parents and churches are not alwasy the most willing to talk. My boyfriend and I got our information from the web, other friends who were having sex. I don't think those are the best places to go to.

I think it also says something about the abortion issue as well. Are we letting kids fall through cracks because of our political process maybe? US is complex.

Both my daughters needed permission to watch the "girl" video in 5th grade. Does anyone have any idea of how many parents do not allow their children to take sex ed and how does this correlate with pregnancies - i.e. - do children not allowed to take sex ed. have a higher rate of pregnancy - are these sex ed. programs effective?

My opinion, have a few point people in the school to work with pregnant teens and moms. Not school nurses either! We need teachers that will help us stay on track and be our cheerleaders to stay in school. Help us find resources. Help us set up a plan to graduate with no age time table. Have classes that involve our babies. From what I get from other teen moms and my current life, schools react instead of having a plan in place with pregnant students and moms.

All of it. Boy and girl parts, how intercourse happens. How to put on a condoms, what STD's look like...lots of facts & figures regarding sex. "Not having it" is the best choice - obviously, but that just isn't the reality.

Jaime & I have spoken alot on sex ed. I feel really sorry for the schools who don't teach all of it. In my parent support group that has 10 teen age girls from 15-19 years old easily 7 of them had only abstence teaching. DON'T DO IT! That isn't helping anyone! I like Jaime's thinking of "relationship" ed instead of the dreaded "sex" ed. What happens to me when I get turned on. How do I talk to my parents about this? How do I stop? Why does it feel so good? Is this normal? How do I feel about myself after? What if we break up? What is he going to say about me? Do I have the power to stop and say no when I am turned on? Can I trust him with my body? I am sorry if this is TMI but I think this is what students want to know at least girls do. All the girls in parent group say, If I would have known this, if I would have known that, if we could know how to talk sex and emotions with more than friends.

My teachers could not have prevented me from having sex. It was a choice between my boyfriend and me. It had nothing to do with teachers or what I did or didn't learn. They could have been more understanding and reassuring when they found out I was pregnant. Instead, I was no longer called on in school, teachers looked the other way, and I could tell and feel shame from them. I was a good student until I had my baby. But they did not see me that way any longer.

I didn't tell anyone, even my parents until the 3rd month. I hoped it would disapper. My boyfriend knew right away. He got me the prego test and we took it together. We both cried a full day. Then it was panic. We both agreed to not tell anyone. By the start of the 3rd month I was flippin out. It was decision time, abort or keep. That is when I told my parents. I did it alon, but my boyfriend did want to be with me but I was scared for him with my dad.

My parents were shocked as you can imagine. They did not talk to me for 3 hours after. I was so scared and alone. My parents were always there for me and they turned they're backs on me. I cried in my room for 3 hours. They came into my room after and said they will support me with any choice I make. I was floored! Now what decision do I make? They basically gave me choice to keep or abort. That was a shocker since of my religion.

My mom took me to the clinic the next day for official yes and to make sure I was healthy. Plus it was the time to discuss options. I did see a psychologist. I did talk to other pregnant teens who were now mothers. This all happened very quickly within 2 weeks. In the end I didn't want to abort. My parents were supporting of that choice and are still today. Teachers & classmates on the other hand? Not so supporting. My best friend didn't know what to say except OMG. As I got bigger my friends were less and less and I was asked over less and less. It became unbearable in the 7th, 8th & 9th months. The principal kept asking my parents if I wanted to have information for on-line classes. Not one teacher ever asked me how I was feeling or if I was ok. Like I said they turned away and made me think I was not there.

I wish I had one person that treated me like I didn't have a disease. Being big bellied in high school is a bad thing. People saw me different. All of a sudden I am irresponsible and cheap and stupid. Classmates that I knew for 16 years were laughing at me whispering to each other.

I want to also say that through my parent group I was able to find out how to get the school to cooperate with my flexible schedule.Once that was set, school has been better and I don't feel like an outcast. Once I had my baby it seemed that some of my friends started to return and I do feel like I am part of a school culture again. To some extent. Reality hits once I pick up my baby though.

I kind of confused GLBT issues above. The thought changes in the next sentence, and there should be a new paragraph return. And then of course, my 3rd paragraph really concerns the new 2nd, and so maybe I steal that paragraph return back. Geez, I think I need to pause to catch up on sleep. Sorry for confusion.

I agree with you Jaime, US education needs to lead on more is good spectrum.

Hi David,
She is definitely an honor student in my book as well. Her honor role status was stripped because of absences, not because she lacked knowledge or didn't have the smarts to be in that club.

Her one year old child is healthy, well adjusted and Babygirl is beyond incredible. Her energy, her determination and her knowing her responsibility are what is going to get her to her goals. And she does have goals. She isn't just getting through. She has plans with deadlines and public goals to hold her accountable. She is definitely on a good track.

Plus, she has an IUD (internal birth control) to prevent pregnancy from happening again before she is ready for another child. One less thing she has to worry about if she wants to be sexually active again. However, she has told me that with an IUD, she still will ALWAYS use a condom to prevent STD's & HIV.

In month 7 I had to ask each teacher in every room if there was another way I could sit in class. Many times I sat at teacher's desks because there was not enough room for a table and chair in rooms. I also had to request from principal an on-going bathroom pass. I tried to go to the bathroom in between classes but sometimes that was not enough. Some teachers did complain that I was granted that pass. I had to leave school 2 weeks before my due date. The principal thought it would be better to not have my water break in school.

I had one friend who stood by me thank goodness. But she had her life of sports newspaper and other friends. We saw each other when we could. Thank goodness for texts. It was my lifeline to life outside of pregnancy. Friends come and go. I know that from friends moving away at a young age. Ya never know who a person is until something big happens. I have not lost trust in people. Look at my support group. They are my truest friends now. They understand they can relate and they accept no matter what. Thank you for your encouraging thoughts. I hope to be able to get my teaching license in English. Since being pregnant and having baby I write a lot and love reading more. We will see. High school diploma first!

Well, I don't know about that. But my parent support group is through my church.

In response to Josh. It is proven in all statistics that if high schoolers get their diploma or GED, they are going to be better off - maybe a little better than minimum wage, but not much. That is why it is so important for pregnant teens and teen mothers find support from a lead teacher or a support group to help them find their way until they can get established and comfortable in their dual roles. Babygirl would have been ok with just her parents support, but she is thriving because of the resources that her parent support group offers. Without them, she would not have known about different strategies with the school district, she wouldn't know about grants for college, she wouldn't know about government plans for teenage mothers. They are a wealth of information that allows teen moms to be successful. Plus, they are another parent figure to keep them on their toes.

I think you are right babygirl. Somehow, we have to find a way to get reality into the classroom without actually making students pregnant. The more real the situation, the more the students will think twice about having sex without protection - condoms, birth control, etc.

QUESTION TO EVERYONE...Explain why you think or don't think that having birth control available to teen girls is a good or bad idea?

I'm not sure that anything specific can be done besides holding him financially responsible. You can't force a teen dad to be responsible unfortunately- and you can't exactly deny him sports opportunities etc. sadly girls almost always get handed the short end of the stick, which is why I think its even more important to explain to girls the consequences of teen pregnancy.