Pregnancy and Childbirth
Teenage Pregnancy Article
This is a selection made from among articles on Teenage Pregnancy. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for future reading, click here.
Teenage Pregnancy in South Africa
from:As with many developing countries, the rate of teenage pregnancy in South Africa is high. Most people argue that this is a substantial problem for the country, and is an expression of a failure to help young girls deal with sexuality. This failure leads to not only pregnancies and abortions, but also to STDs and HIV and AIDS. Many believe that adolescents in South Africa are in desperate need of adequate sex education and confidential contraceptive services.
There are many factors behind teenage pregnancy in South Africa. Often, adequate knowledge of contraception is lacking due to negative attitudes regarding sexual activity before marriage. Young girls are not educated about contraceptive use because many believe there is no need to educate them since they must wait until they are married to have sex anyway.
Teenage pregnancy in South Africa is mainly a problem among women who live in rural, poverty-stricken areas. South Africa's urban female adolescents, however, are also at a high risk of finding themselves pregnant at an early age. These urban girls have become addicted to drugs, alcohol, and expensive lifestyles. To ensure that they have the money for their desires, they sadly stumble onto the path of prostitution and often become pregnant and drop out of school.
Unfortunately, there are a number of myths, the most prominent being that sleeping with a virgin will cure HIV-AIDS, that actually promote the rape of young women. In many cases, these victims are left pregnant. Education regarding these myths and other issues relating to teenage pregnancy in South Africa are believed to be fundamental in dealing with the problem of adolescent pregnancy.
Many education programs, however, are controversial, as is the practice of forcing a young girl who is visibly pregnant to drop out of school. Furthermore, a consensus has not been reached as to what degree tradition should play in educating young girls.
One controversial practice that may be impacting teenage pregnancy in South Africa is that of virginity testing in rural KwaZulu-Natal, where girls on average between the ages of 7 and 26 allow a stranger to check if their hymens are intact. The girls are overjoyed when the test confirms they are virgins. People supporting this practice say that it is an effective tool in stopping the spread of teenage pregnancies and HIV, while opponents claim that the practice is unconstitutional, unhygienic and a violation of human rights.
Advocates of the practice also agree that virginity testing is unhygienic at the moment, as the tester touches up to 600 girls a day, often with bare hands and without washing hands between girls. However, advocates claim that if the government supported the practice, there would be funding to purchase gloves, food, and areas where girls could be tested in private. Furthermore, many supporters of the practice argue that in a country where rape of young girls is prevalent, virginity testing is proving to be a useful method of uncovering sexual abuse on young girls who fear speaking out about it.
Related Articles for Teenage Pregnancy
Teenage-Pregnancy Online News
Official: Missing woman's husband blows up house to kill himself, 2 sons - CNN International
 Fox News | Official: Missing woman's husband blows up house to kill himself, 2 sons CNN International By the CNN Wire Staff "This was all on him. He set this up, he did it," the sheriff's spokesman adds (CNN) -- Minutes after locking out a social worker who'd brought his two sons for a visit, a man in Washington state blew up his house on Sunday ... Fire kills husband of missing Utah woman, 2 boys Father, 2 sons killed when house burns Wash. home fire kills Josh Powell, husband of missing Utah woman, 2 young sons |
Eli Manning, Giants don't let Super Bowl slip through fingers - Los Angeles Times
 Los Angeles Times | Eli Manning, Giants don't let Super Bowl slip through fingers Los Angeles Times Manning earns MVP award in New York's 21-17 win after leading late drive to the winning TD against Patriots for the second time in last five Super Bowls. A long pass to Mario Manningham is key play. Giants quarterback Eli Manning reacts after watching ... Manning rallies Giants to Super Bowl XLVI win over Patriots Manning rallies Giants to Super Bowl win Giants Beat Patriots in Final Rally |
Obama says Israel and the US will find a 'diplomatic solution' to Iran nuke issue - Fox News
 Fox News | Obama says Israel and the US will find a 'diplomatic solution' to Iran nuke issue Fox News WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama said Sunday he does not think Israel has decided whether to attack Iran over its disputed nuclear program, a standoff that has the Middle East on edge. The president sought to assure allies and foes alike that the ... 'Israel has not decided on attacking Iran' Concern grows Israel may attack Iran soon Israel Is Not Preparing Iran Attack, Obama Says |
As Nevada counts, Republican candidates press on - Los Angeles Times
 Los Angeles Times | As Nevada counts, Republican candidates press on Los Angeles Times In a lively campaign weekend, Romney trades more shots with Gingrich, who in turn is lampooned on 'Saturday Night Live.' Donna Meichtry of California appears Friday at a campaign event for Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul in Las Vegas. Big Nevada win adds to challenge for Romney rivals Economic Gains, Questions on Romney Boost Obama's Prospects for November Newt down but not out, he vows |