8.ICR.3

What does this standard mean a child will know and be able to do?

8.ICR.3.1 Explain the health, legal, financial, and social consequences of adolescent and unintended pregnancy and the advantages of delaying parenthood.
There is probably no experience more life-altering event than becoming a parent. It has been said that it is the hardest job one ever takes on for which one is so unprepared. The consequences are many and serious:

Health consequences: Teen moms less likely to receive early and regular prenatal care than an older mother. Problems can include premature birth, low birth weight, premature/difficult labor, anemia, and high blood pressure. Teen parents are more likely to abuse/neglect their child.

Legal consequences: There may be an issue of statutory rape based on the legal age of consent. There may be questions about paternity and also the need to resolve issues of child support and child custody.

Financial consequences: Only 41% of teenage mothers complete high school, making it less likely they will qualify for a well-paying job. Nearly 80% of teen fathers of children born to teen mothers do not marry the mothers. Teen fathers pay less than $800 child support for the lifetime of the child. Teen mothers are more likely to require assistance from family and government.

Social consequences: Teen mothers are more likely to have conflicts with family and the father over parenting the child. They also lose friends due to child/family responsibilities.
 * The student will describe how one’s life changes with premature parenting.
 * The student will explain the health, legal, financial, and social consequences of unintended pregnancy.
 * The student will identify the advantages of delaying parenthood until mature, financially independent, in a committed and nurturing relationship, and an adult.

8.ICR.3.2 Evaluate methods of FDA-approved contraceptives in terms of their safety and their effectiveness in preventing unintended pregnancy.
Selecting a method of birth control requires knowledge and communication. Ideally the couple discusses the methods and their relationship and seeks advice from a medical professional. Some of the factors that should be considered are effectiveness, safety (whether there are side effects), cost, convenience and accessibility, reversibility, and whether the method also protects against sexually transmitted diseases.

The methods are categorized by how they work: barrier (condoms), chemical (spermicides), hormonal (the pill, vaginal ring, injectables, implants, patches). Some health educators refer to abstinence as a method; others do not. Clearly abstinence is the most certain means of preventing unintended pregnancy and STDs. Abstinence has to be practiced consistently to be effective.

Of the barrier methods, male condoms are more effective and easier to access than female condoms. Both are highly effective in preventing pregnancy and against the transmission of diseases if used consistently and correctly. It is important to buy and store latex condoms and use them every time one engages in sexual intercourse.

Hormonal methods mimic pregnancy and therefore the woman will not experience ovulation. These methods range from 92 to 99.95 effective. They include the pill, the patch, injectables, inplants, and the vaginal ring. They have the highest rates of effectiveness, are safe for most women, and require a physician’s prescription.

There are other methods which are less reliable and therefore not recommended. Spermicides are less effective because they require precise timing to either dissolve in time or not dissolve too quickly. The method of withdrawing the penis before ejaculation is not effective because there may be pre-ejaculatory fluid before climax or the man may not anticipate orgasm in time to stop or may not want to stop.

Men have a responsibility for contraception. Even though there are more serious consequences for the female, there are also consequences for the man. Ways they can show support are: to initiate support and communication, buy and use condoms when appropriate, help pay contraceptive costs, and be available for shared responsibility for consequences of contraceptive failure.

Double Dutch enhances the effectiveness of birth control and disease prevention to almost 100%. When intercourse takes place, the male is using a condom and the female is using a reliable contraceptive, such as a hormonal method. Double Dutch is highly recommended because it is so effective.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the government agency responsible for identifying the safety and efficacy of methods of contraception. Anyone who is sexually active needs to have medically accurate information and the ability to communicate with his or her partner to make the best decision about protection.
 * The student will identify factors to consider when deciding a method of contraception.
 * The student will list methods of birth control in order of effectiveness.
 * The student will describe the importance of communication between partners when selecting a method of birth control and disease prevention.
 * The student will discuss the advantages of Double Dutch.

8.ICR.3.3 Select family, school, and community resources for the prevention of sexual risk taking through abstinence and safer sex practices.
It is important for people of all ages to be able to get help when they need it. This is especially true with topics about a person’s sexual health and behavior, as they are sometimes hard topics to talk about. Students should consider these questions: What are the risks involved with the decision to be sexually active? Who could they talk to about sexual health and behavior? The examples need to be adults and the discussion should include family and school resources that a teen could go to for advice and guidance.

Some examples within families and schools may include: parent or guardian, teacher, counselor, grandparent, school nurse, aunt or uncle, older sibling, or coach. There are also community resources that an individual can go to for help in preventing the health risks associated sexual risk taking behaviors: family doctor, local health department, youth minister, teen organizations, such as Boys and Girls Clubs.
 * The student will recognize the characteristics of adults who are trustworthy and to whom he or she can go to ask questions about sexual health.
 * The student will identify family members and school and community professionals who are trustworthy and credible.
 * The student will demonstrate how to seek help from an adult for questions about abstinence or safer sex.

8.ICR.3.4 Summarize ways to avoid being a victim or perpetrator of sexual abuse via digital media (including social network sites, texting, and cell phone).
Technology can be abused in many ways including unwanted or repeated phone calls, as well as inappropriate texts and instant messages. Some young people say they have been pressured to share private or embarrassing pictures online. Other teens acknowledge they are more aggressive and forward on-line than they would be in person.

Digital disrespect is defined as spreading negative or embarrassing information (whether true or untrue) through texting behind someone’s back. A young person might think this is harmless fun and may not realize it could come back to haunt him or her. A good question to ask is whether this would be acceptable behavior if done in person.

Everyone should use electronic media in ways that are kind and respectful instead of careless and disrespectful. They should also consider the impact the behavior might have on them and their future. For example, it is illegal to send explicit images to someone if they are under 18 (considered child pornography). A digital message is there for life, cannot be retrieved, and may be sent to multiple other parties. Some employers and college admissions offices are now looking at social networking sites to determine whom to accept. Future friendships and dating relationships may be affected by the reputation one gets through technology.
 * The student will define and give examples of digital disrespect.
 * The student will clarify behavior that is respectful and legal when using digital media.
 * The student will avoid using digital media in ways that may harm self or others.